Bar and restaurant capacity limits lifted in parts of western Catalonia

The latest update to localized Covid-19 safety measures by the Catalan government has seen differing fortunes for the neighboring counties of Noguera and Segrià in the west of the country.

On Wednesday, health authorities decided to lift the measure that limited capacity in bars and restaurants in 26 municipalities in Segrià, due to an improvement in the latest coronavirus data.

The general measures in force in Catalonia do apply: groups can have a maximum of 10 people and tables must be kept one and a half meters apart.

Strict caps on attendances at cultural and religious events have also been lifted.

On Thursday, similar restrictions will be lifted in the city of Lleida and six municipalities in nearby Baix Segre, bringing all of Segrià under the same rules.

The risk of outbreaks currently stands at 118.83 in Segrià, the lowest level since June 22, down from a peak of 1388.81 on July 18. The reproduction rate (Rt) is below 1, at 0.92.

Noguera

It is a different story, however, for Noguera, just north of Segrià, where restrictions in 19 municipalities will remain in force for at least another two weeks, due to high rates of Covid-19 in the area.

Bars and restaurants can only open to a maximum of 50% of normal capacity, both indoors and outdoors, and food and drink can only be consumed seated at a table, not at the bar.

The municipalities in Noguera affected are Àger, Albesa, Algerri, les Avellanes i Santa Linya, Balaguer, Bellcaire d'Urgell, Bellmunt d'Urgell, Camarasa, Castelló de Farfanya, Cubells, Ivars de Noguera, Menàrguens, Montgai, Os de Balaguer, Penelles, Térmens, Torrelameu, la Sentiu de Sió and Vallfogona de Balaguer.

The risk of outbreaks in Noguera currently stands at 279.41, although the reproduction rate is below 1, at 0.90.

Stricter measures are also in place in Barcelona and the metropolitan area, Reus, parts of Vallès Oriental, Girona and Salt.