Spain's health minister suggests Barcelona and Lleida will move to Phase 3 on Thursday

The Barcelona and Lleida health regions are very likely to move to lockdown easing Phase 3 as soon as this Thursday.

Spain's health minister, Salvador Illa, made some remarks on Wednesday morning indicating that "conditions are met" to accept the Catalan government's proposal to move the capital, its metropolitan area, and Lleida to the last de-escalation stage.

According to Illa, "the situation has been handled correctly in Catalonia."

"The government has had a prudent attitude, which I share," he added.

Illa and Alba Vergés, the Catalan health minister, will meet on Wednesday from 3:30 pm to decide on the issue.

The Catalan cabinet will regain full self-rule and will, therefore, be able to handle the pandemic in all of Catalonia once Barcelona and Lleida move to Phase 3.

After lockdown easing scheme

Indeed, on Tuesday, the Catalan cabinet spokesperson said that as soon as Illa accepts their proposal for the capital and the western region, they will "immediately" rule the end of the lockdown de-escalation plan.

Spokesperson Meritxell Budó said that the Catalan government will put their own rules in place on issues like traveling, hygiene, and face masks. On Sunday, the state of alarm in Spain will come to an end.