70 Barcelona parks to open, but not the beaches

Barcelona is preparing for life on its streets once more. Since the state of alarm was declared on March 14, people have been confined to their homes, leaving only for essential reasons such as buying food or going to medical centers. 

On Saturday, May 2, people will be allowed to return to the open air once again to go for walks and practice sport. As such, the city is taking measures to prepare for the return of people out and about. 

From Friday, May 1, 70 of the city’s parks will open again to the public, giving families and citizens green spaces to walk around and enjoy upon their return to the public world. However, Ciutadella Park will not open until May 4. 

The parks will only be places to have a walk through, rather than sit and relax in, and playgrounds will remain closed. The city's beaches, at this stage, will also remain closed to the public.

As well as this, traffic will be cut on 44 streets every day from 9 am to 9 pm, allowing for 18.5 km of clear road and about 74,000 m2 for pedestrians to enjoy.

In addition to the 30,000 m2 that will soon be gained on Avinguda Diagonal, Gran Via, Via Laietana and the streets of Consell de Cent, Rocafort and Girona, the city will have a total of 104,000 m2 of new space to walk around.

The aim is to ensure that all neighborhoods have a network of safe routes through which to walk and do individual sports while respecting social distancing.