What Covid-19 rules must be followed in Catalonia from now on?

The end of the state of alarm and the lockdown easing scheme in Catalonia have led to new rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19 set by the Catalan government (all details in Catalan here), which has regained its full self-rule.

As explained by the executive on Thursday, the new guidelines intend to simplify the regulations and avoid basing the system on "prohibitions."

Safety distance of 1.5 meters, or 2.5 square meters

Both indoors and outdoors, the safety distance is set at 1.5 meters, which means a 2.5-square-meter safety area around every person.

A distance under 1 meter is prohibited for people who do not have a usual relationship or have to work at less than this distance from each other.

Face masks obligatory in public transport and when safety distance not guaranteed

Face masks are obligatory for everyone above the age of six indoors or outdoors when the 1.5 meters safety distance cannot be guaranteed between people who do not have a usual relationship.

It is also compulsory in public transport except for groups of people with a usual relationship.

Face masks are not obligatory when doing sport or for people with respiratory problems or some other condition incompatible with the masks.

Meeting allowed but without crowds

Meetings are allowed, including doing sport, but in any case preferably between people who have a usual relationship.

Crowds have to be avoided, meaning that safety distance between groups has to always be respected.

Organizers of events or those responsible for venues must guarantee the safety distances and hygiene elements, while public administrations have to avoid crowds and can limit access to places like natural parks and beaches.

Sectors of up to 3,000 people in outdoor venues

In outdoor activities, in general the safety area of 2.5 square meters has to be respected for those not close.

This distance can be lower under four conditions: everyone uses face masks, there is a register of attendees or they have allocated seating, a protocol to avoid crowds is established, and sectors with independent entry and exit are set.

These sectors must be of up to 3,000 people if attendees are seated, and 2,000 if they are standing.

Sectors of up to 2,000 people in indoor events, including fairs

In indoor activities, in general the safety area of 2.5 square meters has to be respected for those not close.

This distance can be lower under three conditions: everyone uses face masks, there is a register of attendees or they have allocated seating and a protocol to avoid crowds is established.

Sectors have to be set, with independent entry and exit, and each sector must have a maximum of 1,000 people standing or 2,000 seated.

Fairs and congresses have extra regulations apart from the ones above, obliging their organizers to enhance hygiene measures, provide sanitizers and a protocol to guarantee the safety distance, which has to be handed to the authorities.

Restaurants and hotels

In those activities, like restaurants and hotels both indoors and outdoors, where wearing face masks is impossible because people are drinking and eating, the safety distance is obligatory between people or groups of people.

Working by appointment has to also be fostered.

No capacity percentages are set for bars, restaurants and hotels, but until June 24 (included), the rule of lockdown easing Phase 3 are still in application. That is, 50% of the usual maximum capcity indoors and 75% outdoors.

Night clubs: dancing only allowed with usual contacts

On June 22, the Catalan government issued an extra rule specifying that bars, nightclubs and similar establishments will be able to allow dancing but only among people that "very usually" are in touch, like friends – and they will have to register if they want to dance.

Those areas usually prepared for dancing are restricted to those groups – other than that, they can be used with tables or they will have to close. Their access have to be monitored permanently.

This means that apart from specific cases, dancing will not be allowed in nightclubs.