6th June 2023
Catalan president Quim Torra
Barcelona News Catalonia News Main News

Catalonia to impose fines of up to €15,000 for ‘botellons’ – street drinking parties

Latest: Coronavirus in Spain figures (26 August)

The Catalan government has now banned ‘botellons’ – street drinking parties – in an effort to stop any further spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19), and will impose fines of up to €15,000.

Last Friday the government in Catalonia had already ruled that nightclubs, venue halls and events with shows were to be banned in all of Catalonia, as well as musical activities with dance floors. The ruling is in place for two weeks.

Recently, Coronavirus infections have been increasing among younger demographics, with nightlife and large social gatherings blamed for many new cases.

Catalan president Quim Torra
Catalan president Quim Torra during a press briefing on 27 July 2020. (Jordi Bedmar / CatalanGovernment.eu)

At a press conference on Monday, Quim Torra, president of Catalonia, had appealed to young people to not hold gatherings on the streets – and for regional mayors to apply sanctions if the existing measures were not being respected. He had urged the public, particularly young people, to engage in ‘responsible social interaction’.

ALSO READ: Catalonia closes nightclubs and imposes other curfews

Now, with the banning of ‘botellons’, non-compliance could lead to fines of between €3,000 and €15,000.

The new ruling has already been approved by Civil Protection (Procicat), and has been signed off ‘for reasons of public health’, according to Catalan government spokeswoman, Meritxell Budó.

The ruling will apply to ‘botellons’ with mass gatherings on beaches and in public squares and roads.

The responsibility to enforce the new ruling will be left in the hands of local councils, who will also be in charge of imposing the more serious sanctions involved.

Click here for all previous reports on: Coronavirus in Spain

ALSO READ: Coronavirus in Spain figures (27 July)

ALSO READ: Germany advises against travelling to Catalonia, Aragón and Navarra

ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘Safer to be in most regions of Spain than in the UK’

ALSO READ: Spain insists it is ‘a safe country’ for tourism – but cancellations continue

ALSO READ: Catalan president warns of ‘critical’ next 10 days

ALSO READ: UK advises against travelling to Spain – and imposes quarantine on return

ALSO READ: Catalonia closes nightclubs and imposes other curfews

ALSO READ: France urges citizens not to travel to Catalonia [in 24 July report]

Recent Posts

Spain sets a new record for foreign visitors in April

News Desk

Spain’s opposition leader admits he can’t speak English, ‘but will study it’

News Desk

Pedro Sánchez goes on the attack, labelling the PP and Vox as being both far-right

News Desk

Spain’s maiden rocket launch postponed by high winds

News Desk

Torrential rain, hail and strong winds lash parts of drought-hit Spain

News Desk

Inflation in Spain slowed for May, following drop in fuel prices

News Desk

Leave a Comment