With the Spanish government’s new state of emergency declaration, many of you might be confused or uncertain of what this new decree entails and how it will impact your daily life. We have gone through the Barcelona City Council’s summary of the new security measures that went into effect on Sunday, October 25th, and translated them to make them more easily digestible for you.

The most important difference to the previous state of emergency is the implementation of a nighttime curfew. If you need to be out during curfew and fall into the “exception” category, make sure to fill out and have a “certificat d’autoresponsabilitat” on you in case you get stopped by authorities.

NOCTURNAL MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS

Mobility will be restricted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Exceptions:

• Emergency situation

• Essential services

• Acquisition of medicines

• Assistance to dependents for reasons that cannot be postponed

• Commuting to work

• Dog walking (from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.)

It is also allowed to return home from schools and from cultural activities that end at 10:00 p.m. In these instances, you have until 11:00 p.m. to return home.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport maintains its offer at 100%.

SOCIAL GATHERINGS

• Limited to a maximum of 6 people; this applies to both the public and private spheres.

• You cannot eat or drink in public.

• You must wear a mask, respect the safety distance of 1.5 meters and follow the recommended hygiene measures.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS

• No consumption is allowed inside the establishment or on the establishment’s terrace.

• Service is limited to home delivery and order pick-up.

• There must be a specific space for the pick-up of orders and payment.

• Order pick-up service until 9:00 p.m. The establishment must assign appointments for pick-up.

• Home delivery service until 10:00 p.m.

• Hotel restaurants may remain open, but service is restricted to their guests only.

NIGHTLIFE VENUES AND ESTABLISHMENT

Nightlife venues are closed.

CULTURAL SPACES: CINEMA, THEATERS AND CONCERTS

• Maximum capacity of 50%.

• All seats will be previously assigned, and contact information will be collected beforehand.

• Closing at 10 p.m. at the latest.

SPORTS FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

• Maximum capacity of 50%.

• Non-professional sports competitions are postponed.

• Closing at 10 p.m. at the latest.

SHOPS, SHOPPING CENTERS AND MARKETS

• Maximum capacity of 30%.

• Closure of shopping centers’ common areas.

• Closure of beauty centers (except hairdressers).

• Closing at 9:00 p.m. at the latest.

LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES, MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS

All remain open.

UNIVERSITIES

The face-to-face theoretical classes are now taught virtually.

AMUSEMENT PARKS AND FAIRS

Their opening is suspended.

PARKS AND GARDENS

Close at 8:00 p.m.

CONGRESSES, CONVENTIONS, TRADE FAIRS AND MAJOR FESTIVALS

In-person celebration is suspended.

RELIGIOUS ACTS AND CIVIL CEREMONIES

The capacity is reduced to 50%.

GAMBLING-RELATED ACTIVITIES

Opening to the public of game rooms, casinos and bingo halls is suspended.

CIVIC CENTERS

Activities will now be shown online, and no access to the spaces for social and community activities will be permitted. Visits and itineraries are suspended, but cultural programming is maintained.

PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN PUBLIC

It is still forbidden to smoke in public as long as a distance of two meters between people cannot be maintained. This limitation also applies to the use of any other inhalation device for tobacco, vape pens, water pipes and the like. Again, as long as you can maintain a 2-meter distance from others, you can smoke; just be conscious of that.

INFRACTIONS AND FINES

The new decree outlines three types of offenses for non-compliance of health prevention and containment measures.

1. Minor infractions: Pose an infection risk for up to 15 people.
   • Failure to wear a mask or improper use (fine: 100 euros)
   • Shared consumption of alcoholic beverages in public (fine: 500 to 3,000 euros)
2. Serious offenses: Pose an infection risk for more than 15 people and up to 150 people.
   • Non-compliance of: capacity limits, opening and closing hours, hygiene and prevention measures
   • Holding events or carrying out activities that have been expressly prohibited
   • Fine: 3,001 to 60,000 euros
3. Very serious offenses: Pose an infection risk for more than 150 people.
   • Repeated non-compliance with home isolation duty, agreed on by the competent authorities, by people who have tested positive for COVID-19
   • Repeated non-compliance with the protocols, plans or instructions received from the competent authorities.
   • Fine: 60,001 and 600,000 euros

We hope this helps clear up any doubts or concerns you may have. The most important thing is to do our best to help get the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

Be safe!

*Yesterday, October 29th, the Generalitat announced extra restrictive measures that went into effect for the Catalonia region at 12:00 a.m. this morning, October 30th.

By EMILY BENSON

Featured photo by ISABEL TROYA

Published by carrersbcn

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