Catalonia to lift curfew and keep limits on gatherings and events
The government will put an end to nightly stay-at-home orders after court blocks plans expand measure greatly
The Catalan government announced on Tuesday that it will fully revoke the curfew, currently in force in 19 municipalities, after a last-ditch attempt to expand the measure to Barcelona and other major towns and cities was blocked by a court.
The measure will come into effect next Friday, pending judicial approval. Social gatherings will remain limited to 10 people to reduce coronavirus contagion, and the capacity limit for religious and civil ceremonies will continue to be 70%.
The curfew, in place from 1 am to 6 am, was implemented by health authorities as an emergency measure to curb the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, which caused a spike of Covid-19 cases last July.
While Catalan officials believe the measure is still needed to keep infections at bay, High Court of Catalonia magistrates repeatedly rejected any proposals to continue enforcing it in Barcelona and other highly-populated cities, authorizing it only in 19 municipalities.
The Catalan government decided on Tuesday to lift the measure altogether, while urging citizens to be cautious and discouraging large get-togethers after large crowds of revelers were seen in some Barcelona neighborhoods following the end of the curfew.
Curfew currently in 19 towns
Here is the full list of municipalities under a 1 am to 6 am curfew:
Alcarràs, Amposta, Arenys de Munt, Badia del Vallès, Balaguer, Banyoles, Calafell, Celrà, Cervelló, Gelida, Manlleu, Martorell, Montblanc, Móra d'Ebre, Palafolls, Salt, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Sarrià de Ter and Torroella de Montgrí.