Ten-person limit on gatherings and limit on capacity at religious events to end

BarcelonaThe restrictions that affect fundamental rights, such as the ten-person limit on gatherings and reduced capacity at religious events, will not be extended beyond Friday, according to Government spokeswoman Patrícia Plaja. The Procicat has met to finish polishing the details of the resolution which will be approved on Friday, as explained at a press conference after the executive council. On the other hand, the Generalitat is also considering increasing from 30% to 40% the capacity at sporting events over 10,000 people

The lifting of restrictions does not affect nightlife, which will still remain closed. Plaja has assured that this opening will be done "the sooner, the better", but has argued that it is not yet possible. "Now we do not have the right circumstances," she concluded. She has not wanted to clarify whether it would be possible for them to open for La Mercè festival in Barcelona, saying that the Generalitat works "week by week". The Department of Health is in favor of waiting for the ICUs to empty out and improve covid-19 indicators before allowing the reopening. In addition, there is another variable that the Generalitat wants to bring under control before deciding on nightlife: the reopening of schools next Monday. As this could also have an impact on epidemiological data, the government prefers to wait.

Covid certificate and vaccines

Plaja has also said that right now the option of implementing a covid certificate that allows access to certain areas for the vaccinated population is not being considered in Catalonia. "It is not on the table," she said. One of the reasons the Catalan executive has given is that four Spanish regions have tried to promote it and have run up against the courts. She has also denied that the Generalitat has pressured the State to decree this measure throughout Spain.

The spokeswoman has insisted that there are vaccines available to all sectors of the population that have not yet attended vaccination centres: "Out of individual and collective responsibility, let's get vaccinated", she insisted on the same day that Department of Health is studying ways to offer discounts on shows to encourage people to get vaccinated. Plaja did not want to confirm these discounts, but has admitted that there is some concern because there are certain sectors of the population that are not getting vaccinated. "The refrigerators are full and there is a sector that is not getting vaccinated," she explained.