Public prosecutor opposes 10-person limit on gatherings and curfew

The public prosecutor is against the Catalan government's proposed 10-person limit on gatherings and 1 am to 6 am curfew in municipalities with over 10,000 inhabitants and a Covid-19 incidence rate of over 250.

According to the public prosecutor's office, there are insufficient reasons to justify these "severe, extensive, very restrictive, intense and widespread" restrictions. 

As these measures, which were put forth in an attempt to stem the Omicron-fueled spread of the virus, restrict Constitutional rights, they must be greenlighted by the High Court before they can be implemented.

If greenlighted, they will come into effect on Thursday at midnight alongside the closure of nightclubs and capacity limits: 50% in the indoor seating areas of restaurants and 70% in stores, gyms, and cultural venues.

The High Court is expected to issue a ruling around midday on Thursday. 

Alternative measures if rejected

Public health secretary Carmen Cabezas stated on Thursday morning that if the High Court did not approve the Catalan government's restrictions, they would put forth other measures, such as closing restaurants by 12:30 am.

Limiting gatherings to a maximum of 10 people would become a recommendation rather than a measure in the event of it not being greenlighted. 

In an interview with RAC1 radio, she also said she thought the Spanish government's decision to make face masks mandatory outdoors from December 24 was "of little use."

Cabezas also explained that the Omicron variant already accounted for over 50% of new cases in Barcelona and defended the Catalan government's initial posture on fully vaccinated close contacts having to quarantine. Catalonia was forced to backtrack after having decided that all close contacts would have to self-isolate for 10 days from Thursday, regardless of their vaccination status, after Spain's Public Health Committee voted in favor of only forcing those who have been inoculated to only carry out "essential" activities. 

Covid-19 indicators

Catalonia reported its highest ever number of new daily Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic on Thursday: 13,308. This is the third day in a row with over 10,000 new PCR and antigen test diagnosed positives, a surge that is largely attributed to the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus. 

As of December 22, there are 1,344 hospitalized Covid-19 patients across Catalonia, of which 356 require ICU care — 48.5% and 79.8% increases, respectively, on figures seen exactly two weeks prior. 

Official figures, released daily on this website, state there have been 1,159,454 confirmed Covid-19 cases since February 25, 2020, and a total of 24,413 people with or suspected to have had the virus have died.

6,233,212 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 78.7% of the total population. Out of those, 5,412,503 have also been administered a second dose (68.4% of the total population). 6,044,544 residents are considered to be fully immunized (76%), while 1,621,905 have had third doses (20.6%).

Under 65s who have already had the virus are only required to have the first dose, and others have received a single-dose jab. Therefore, the % of two doses administered and % fully immunized do not match.

Public healthcare in Catalonia

Anyone who is registered in a municipal 'padró' census in Catalonia is entitled to at least basic CatSalut public health coverage, which includes Covid care and vaccinations.

You can apply for a health card here. Once you have received a CIP number, you can request access to La Meva Salut, the website and app from which medical records – including vaccination certificates – can be downloaded and health queries can be made. You will also be able to book vaccination appointments online.

Covid-19 vaccinations are only administered through the public health system.