Collserola park to remain closed through summer due to African swine fever, councilor says

Barcelona deputy mayor for security, ​​Albert Batlle, said on Thursday that he expects restrictions in Collserola park related to African swine fever will remain in place during the summer.

According to him, there will not be an overall lifting of restrictions during the summer. "In general, during the summer months the restriction measures that were issued five or six months ago will largely be in force," he explained.

However, he recalled that it is necessary to see how the Department of Agriculture and the health authorities modulate the restrictions and has not ruled out that some more precise measures may be adopted.

While he shared the "concern" of mayors, he underscored the necessity to comply with the rules.

"We are aware that the restrictions cause inconvenience but they are necessary to protect the natural environment, wildlife, and above all the livestock sector," he pointed out.

Battle insisted that the spread of the virus must be avoided "at all costs," saying it would be a "real tragedy" from an economic point of view.

In turn, Sebastià Massagué, the head of the Civil Protection, added that the fact that there are fewer people in Collserola due to the restrictions can also reduce the risk of fires.