Authorities to meet on Wednesday to evaluate possible Barcelona Phase 1 progression

The Catalan government and the Barcelona City Council will meet on Wednesday to assess whether Barcelona is in a position to move to Phase 1 of the coronavirus lockdown de-escalation plan.

Catalan health minister Alba Vergés explained that a joint office has been created to address this issue. "Tomorrow we will make an assessment together of how we believe the city is," Vergés explained. 

Phase 1 would see bar and restaurant terraces reopening at 50% capacity, as well as other places such as museums, libraries, gyms, and shops reopening with limitations. Three Catalan health regions entered Phase 1 on Monday, May 11. 

The minister was also keen to point out that, although the evolution of the pandemic in the city is "good" in terms of health, there are other criteria to consider, such as mobility. 

The authorities will make proposals only when they believe there is enough evidence to support whether or not any health region can progress to the next phase. Vergés also reiterated that indicators are being followed on a daily basis.

On Friday, Spanish health minister Salvador Illa is expected to announce which parts of the country will move to Phase 1, with the progression officially occurring the following Monday, May 18. 

Alba Vergés recalled that a few days ago she said that proposals for which areas progress phase “may not be for everywhere,” but nevertheless says “we’re sure to have them soon,” as "15 more days would not be expected to make new proposals."

She also criticized the Spanish government for publishing their official gazette, which makes any new measures official, on Saturday to be implemented on Monday, which caused many doubts to be resolved on Sunday afternoon.