International Relations Bureau

COVID-19 Update: State of Emergency and Night-Time Curfew

Oct 26, 2020


On Sunday, 25 October 2020, a nationwide “State of Emergency” (“Estado de Alarma” in Spanish) was declared by the Spanish Government, due to the rapid increase of Covid-19 infections. This State of Emergency is expected to last for 6 months and allows regional governments to put in place additional restrictions and to enforce restrictions on freedom of movement. Upon declaration of State of Emergency, the following restrictions apply nationwide:

1)      Nigh-time curfew: in Catalonia, curfew hours are from 22:00h to 6:00h.

(Other Autonomous Communities may enforce slightly different curfew times.)

2)      Travel between Autonomous Communities is banned.

3)      Group meetings are limited to 6 people, in both public and private spaces, either indoors or outdoors.

4)      Capacity in places of worship is restricted: in Catalonia, 50% of full capacity.

Exceptions apply for points 1) and 2). Full details here (in Spanish): https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/covid-19/Paginas/estado-de-alarma.aspx

Relevant exceptions include trip back home after being away on a trip, trip back home after attending a cultural event (end times no later than 22:00), health emergencies and other force majeure trips (proof required). See full details for Catalonia here (in Spanish): https://portaldogc.gencat.cat/utilsEADOP/PDF/8254/1818442.pdf

In Catalonia, in addition to the measures put in place some days ago, and as the curfew starts at 22h, all shops will close maximum at 21h. (Even the small grocery shops and small supermarkets in the neighborhoods; some of which were open until midnight or open 24h until now, and that now will be closing at 21h.)

Fines

In Catalonia, enforcement of the above restrictions includes fines starting at 300euro for curfew breakers.

Also, remember that fines ranging from 3.000 to 15.000 euro apply if caught drinking alcohol on the streets (in groups -in Spanish this is called “botellón”-, or alone).

Remember

Health authorities recommend reducing social activities and non-essential travel as much as possible.

Please remember the three rules: hands hygiene, face mask and social distance. THANK YOU.

 

More information

  • Catalan Department of Health:

https://canalsalut.gencat.cat/ca/salut-a-z/c/coronavirus-2019-ncov/index.html#googtrans(ca|en)

  • Daily data and reports about Catalonia:

 https://aquas.gencat.cat/ca/actualitat/ultimes-dades-coronavirus/index.html#googtrans(ca|en)

  • Spanish Ministry of Health:

https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/home.htm

  • European Union: ECDC

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/situation-updates/weekly-maps-coordinated-restriction-free-movement

  • World, Global COVID-19:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

 

for any general question during your stay ().