Catalonia to delay curfew to 1.30am on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

The Catalan government will delay the nightly curfew to 1.30am on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The cabinet also allows one extra hour, until 11pm, on January 5, the eve of the Three Kings Day.

On Wednesday, the interim president, Pere Aragonès, said in parliament that a "flexibilization" of measures in the key nights of the festive season was planned.

Later on the day, the civil protection emergency committee (Procicat) confirmed the measures, including that gatherings can be up to 10 people including children - this could be the same as the rest of the Christmas holidays, because if Catalonia moves forward in the plan of reopening social life phases every two weeks as expected, the cap on gatherings will increase from 6 to 10 from December 21. 

Procicat also recommends for the public to be in touch with a maximum of two separate bubbles, and on different days with each of them during the holidays.

Mobility

In terms of mobility, December 24, December 31 and January 5 will follow the rules applying to the de-escalation phase in force at that time. 

If there are no delays in moving phases due to a worsening of the pandemic, from December 21 Catalonia's borders will be open without restrictions, except for the nightly curfew, as phase 3 provides. 

If still in phase 2, its borders would still be closed - and from Friday 6am to Monday 6am, people would only be able to move within their county. 

Phase 1, currently in force, provides that Catalonia's borders are still closed and during the weekend, people cannot leave their municipality. 

Restaurants

As for restaurants and bars, they will be able to open on December 24, 25, 26 and 31, as well as January 1, with up to six people per table. 

On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, establishments will be able to open until 1am, as authorities recommend using open-air spaces preferably. 

Care homes

Visits to relatives in care homes will be eased, as long as the health situation allows it. 

Temporary leaves of users will also be permitted, especially on December 24, 25, 26 and 31, as well as January 1, 5 and 6.