Barcelona may face longer spell in Phase 0 of lockdown exit

The Catalan health minister Alba Vergés has hinted that not all areas of Catalonia will move through the four phases of the lockdown de-escalation plan at the same time.

"There will surely be differences" she said, speaking to public broadcaster TV3 on Tuesday.

Specifically, Vergés warned that Barcelona may not move on to Phase 1 next Monday, May 11.

"Maybe not on the 11th, but a little later we could consider something."

During Tuesday’s daily press conference on the Covid-19 crisis, Vergés moved to clarify her earlier comments, however, saying that no final decision had been made.

"There is no decision taken" she insisted, adding that they are still analyzing all the information.

"All I said was that in the most populated areas, the movement of people must be very closely monitored." confirmed the health minister.

Phase 0 to Phase 1

All of Catalonia is currently in Phase 0, with May 11 the earliest possible date that an area may move onto Phase 1.

That decision is to be made by the Spanish executive in consultation with the Catalan government.

Phase 1 will see further easing of lockdown restrictions.

Bars and restaurants will be able to open their outside terraces to 50% capacity, libraries can open, and socialising in groups of up to ten people will be allowed as long as the individuals are healthy with no underlying conditions.

Health regions versus provinces

Vergés and her colleagues in the Catalan cabinet have repeatedly called for health regions rather than provinces to be used for any decisions on moving from one phase to the next.

The Catalan health minister said they are working on the proposal that will be presented to the Spanish Ministry of Health on Wednesday, based on health regions.

She added that it would not mean isolating only Barcelona, saying that "what concerns Barcelona concerns the metropolitan area in general."