Barcelona to permit sunbathing and walks on beaches if health measures followed

Currently the Catalan capital’s beaches are only open for people to exercise

People looking over Bogatell beach in Barcelona, closed during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis (by Miquel Codolar)
People looking over Bogatell beach in Barcelona, closed during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis (by Miquel Codolar) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

May 19, 2020 02:34 PM

Barcelona City Council will not prevent people from sunbathing and walking on beaches from Wednesday morning, as long as there is no flagrant breach of health measures in place, such as safety distances maintained between people. 

Beaches in the Catalan capital are only open to people in the set time slots for different age groups, and only for exercise.  

The objective of the new measure is to keep the beaches open to those who want to go for walks on the sand or practice sports, but from tomorrow nothing will be said to people who sit in the sun for a while as long as they follow the appropriate safety measures

Walkers and bathers can only visit the beach if they live within a one-kilometer radius of the sands, whereas athletes can go from all parts of the city. A maximum amount of time of one hour is allowed for people to be on the beaches too. 

The city councilor in charge of security, Albert Batlle, has appealed for responsibility from the public to comply with the established safety measures.

You cannot go to the beach by private vehicle, only on foot or by bicycle. Breakwaters will remain closed for walking and fishing. 

All parks in the city that had remained closed until now will also be open from Wednesday to let people practice sports. Parc Güell is one of the biggest parks in Barcelona that will be reopening. However, picnicking will not be permitted.