Spain to decide on de-escalation plan for Barcelona and metro area

The Spanish government is expected to announce the de-escalation measures to be applied in Barcelona and its metropolitan area from May 18 on Friday evening.

Spain's health minister Salvador Illa will chair a meeting with regional ministers beginning at 4:30 pm, where he will reveal his intentions for how phases are to unfold from next Monday. Illa has to assess the proposals submitted by the regions before having a final say.

Catalonia requested for the health regions of Lleida, Girona and Central Catalonia to move from Phase 0 to Phase 1 of the lockdown de-escalation plan, thereby joining the Tarragona area (Camp de Tarragona), the Ebre river region (Terres de l’Ebre) and the western Catalan Pyrenees (Alt Pirineu i Aran).

The proposal also includes breaking Barcelona's metropolitan area down – the Garraf and Alt Penedès, in the southern Barcelona metro area health region, and Baix Montseny, in northern Barcelona metro area, have also been put forth to enter Phase 1.

As for the rest of the metropolitan area and the Catalan capital, Catalonia has proposed a "Phase 0 and a half" of sorts. 

Proposed measures in 'Phase 0.5'

This would include going to shops and businesses without first making an appointment and opening places of worship to one third of capacity.

The gradual opening of scientific centers, libraries, and cultural centers with limits on activity and capacity would also be included in this 'advanced' Phase 0, but not the opening of gyms, bar and restaurant terraces, and the socializing in groups of up to 10 people.

Traveling to other towns within the Barcelona metropolitan area would not be allowed during 'Phase 0.5.'