Official: Bars to be shut and social activities limited to avoid 'total lockdown'

The Catalan government announced on Wednesday the toughest package of health and mobility restrictions since the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic last March, including the closure of bars and restaurants for two weeks, as well as a 30% capacity limit for stores, and 50% for sports facilities, cultural activities, and religious ceremonies.

"We must act today in order to avoid a total lockdown in the coming weeks," said Pere Aragonès, the vice president of the Catalan government, currently acting as interim president.

Catalan authorities are also ordering the suspension of fairs and conventions, non-professional sports competitions, an 8 pm curfew for parks and public gardens, and the closure of bingo halls and business activities involving physical contact, except for hair salons.