'Lower influx of people' in first night of curfew

The Catalan police has confirmed that a "lower influx of people" than usual was witnessed during the first night of curfew on Sunday evening.

On Monday morning, chief officer Eduard Sallent said that no major incidents were reported, and the police operation focused on giving warnings without fines given the short notice of the measures enforced – following a declaration of the state of alarm in Spain on Sunday, the Catalan government imposed a night curfew that came into effect on the very same evening. 

Sallent explained that 101 people and 10 vehicles were identified, but officers did not report any wrongdoing – only four people were arrested in a demonstration of pandemic deniers in Barcelona's Plaça Espanya. 

He added that "occasional" situations of people in the streets were seen, mostly people delivering food or taking orders home from 10 pm to 11 pm. 

Catalan News Agency (ACN) reporting teams also witnessed lower activity in the streets of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona in the evening from 10 pm to midnight. 

The curfew is in force from Sunday, October 25, and will last at least until November 9. 

10 pm to 6 am curfew with exceptions

It includes a night lockdown from 10pm to 6am, with exceptions including people on their way home, who work at night, in case of a health emergency (this includes going to a pharmacy) and when taking care of dependent relatives (with a professional certificate).

Essential services, such as health centers, care homes, gas stations, emergency services and judicial actions are also permitted from 10 pm to 6 am.

The care of pets is also in the list of exceptions, with walks permitted to last only for “the essential amount of time" from 4 am to 6 am near home. 

Urgent judicial actions or returning home from a trip are also part of the exceptions.

Theaters, cinemas, concert venues, food delivery

While in-person cultural activities were banned when the first state of alarm came into force in March, Catalonia says theaters, cinemas, and concert venues can remain open until 10 pm, with attendees authorized to return home by 11 pm.

Meanwhile, bars and restaurants will remain shut, but food delivery will be allowed until 10 pm, and take away services until 9 pm.