Public transport will be free to use for people authorized to travel
Measure applies to local trains, Barcelona metro and buses, and Catalan rail system, as government urges state authorities to waive motorway toll charges
Society
Current affairs and social issues
A million workers in Catalonia dismissed due to coronavirus crisis, warns union
CCOO trade union estimates that apart from 570,000 temporarily laid off, another half million temporary and short-term contracts have been terminated
What benefits have been put in place to mitigate the economic blow of Covid-19?
Check out Catalan News' guide to both Catalan and Spanish measures for those in need during these trying times
Catalan News sees record month for page views in March
We strive to deliver accurate and thorough news to internationals living in Catalonia and people interested in current affairs from here
Confirmed coronavirus cases in Spain pass 100,000 mark
Spanish authorities report 864 fatalities due to covid-19 in past 24 hours, taking total death toll to more than 9,000
Neighborhood community shares shopping during confinement
Families in Sabadell take turns to pick up goods reducing trips outside and minimizing risk of infection
Catalan government provides €80m to fight coronavirus
Authorities aim to make public transport free during crisis and will ask Madrid to remove toll charges on motorways
Evictions suspended for six months
Spanish government introduces measures to help tenants, while 60% of Catalan freelancers have been forced to suspend their activity
Psychological support for medical staff during public health crisis
Social distancing heightens general public's anxiety, especially when friends or family members fall ill
No hot meals, showers or toilets for Catalonia's truckers
Transport sector is "indignant" that some highway rest stops are not complying with orders to provide drivers with "essential services"
Extreme measures help health system cope with coronavirus crisis
Initiatives include converting sports centers to hospitals and calling retired medical staff back to the fold
What essential activities are exceptions to tighter lockdown rules?
Health, food, banks, insurance and media fall outside prohibition on traveling to work until April 9
Spain overtakes China in number of confirmed covid-19 cases
With over 16,000 people testing positive and more than 1,400 deaths, Catalonia is second only to Madrid in number of coronavirus victims
Exterior ministry helping 1,500 Catalans overseas to get back home
New external affairs minister to call on Spanish counterpart to help stranded travelers find return flight for "reasonable" price
Will Catalan schools reopen to finish the school year?
As the coronavirus crisis keeps students at home, the authorities are starting to look at finishing courses telematically
Latest updates and breaking news on society, social issues, and current affairs from Barcelona and Catalonia. Keep up to date on protests, the housing crisis, the ongoing drought, the climate crisis and environmental management, urban development and management, the language immersion system, and much more here.