Catalonia bans social gatherings of more than 10 people

Latest: Coronavirus in Spain figures (14 Sept)

The Catalan president Quim Torra has announced a ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people across Catalonia, both in public and in private, to further combat the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in the region.

The new measures will not apply at work nor on public transport – and they will be in place for 15 days.

Other measures recently introduced, including a ban on smoking in public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained, as well as the 1am curfew on bars and restaurants (and closure of music bars and nightclubs), remain in place.

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The ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people is aimed at ‘flattening the curve’ over the next crucial weeks, said Torra, ahead of the plans for schools to re-open from 14 September.

Catalan president Quim Torra. (Jordi Bedmar / catalangovernment.eu

‘What will happen during autumn and winter is at stake in the coming three weeks,’ Torra said, explaining the need for schools to re-open and for people to be able to go back to their workplaces.

‘We have three key weeks to flatten the curve,’ he said.

Meanwhile in Madrid the regional government has advised against ‘unnecessary social interaction’ – and in Murcia the regional health minister has said that social gatherings should now be a maximum of six people, if those meeting up do not currently live together.

Measures for schools in Catalonia

Catalonia’s schools are set to open on 14 September for the beginning of the academic year after a six-month break, but it is still uncertain how the return will take place.

Torra said that all pupils over 12 will have to wear face masks at schools across Catalonia, and in areas showing higher risks of Covid-19 transmission masks will be obligatory for pupils over 6.

He also announced a mass screening plan for schools from 15 September to 15 November, with around 500,000 tests to take place.

In addition, primary school classes will have a maximum of 20 pupils, while secondary school class sizes will also be reduced.

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