Nightclubs to open from October 8 with covid pass

BarcelonaClubbing is back. With epidemiological data receding, the last sector to be given permission to reopen will be allowed to do so on October 8. This has been confirmed by sources of the Catalan Government to ACN, two weeks after nightclubs' outdoor areas were given permission to open until 3 am with no dancing. The measure comes after great pressure from the sector and images of large illegal outdoor parties over the past few weekends, in which thousands of people took part.

While waiting to finalise the details at a meeting on Tuesday between the Government and business representatives, what is certain is that nightclubs will be able to open using the covid pass, which is proof of either having tested negative or having been vaccinated. Nevertheless, the proposal will have to be endorsed by Catalonia's High Court "due to legal and health issues".

The authorities wanted to wait until the number of coronavirus patients in ICUs dropped further – there are now 123 patients. It also wanted to give the legal services time to present reports to justify compulsory use of the covid pass, in order to avoid any legal setbacks. Catalan government spokeswoman Patrícia Plaja said last week that it was necessary to be "surgical" with measures that "may violate or affect the individual freedoms", but she did not say what the Government would do if the court does not authorise the measures.

After over 100 days closed due to the explosion in fifth wave cases at the end of June, on September 23 there was a timid opening of nightlife: nightclubs could open, but only for outdoor spaces and until 3 am and with no dancing. In practice, most remained closed.