International Relations Bureau

COVID-19: Important information on the newly approved restrictions and recommendations due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic

Oct 19, 2020

Information for UPC international students, to know understand the measures that have just been put in place for the moment for the next 15 days (second half of October).

 

The Government of Catalonia has passed a series of restrictions and recommendations valid for the next 15 days (for the moment), some of them directly disrupting face-to-face teaching at universities. Other restrictions and recommendations are more general, but may as well impact your daily activities both on- and off-campus.

COVID-19 measures with direct impact on university teaching

Face-to-face theory lessons are replaced by online ones. Lab sessions, exams, research and other on-campus activities are not affected. These restrictions come into effect from the week of 15th October, with the exact date depending on the subject. Your host UPC school and corresponding head teachers will inform you of these changes in detail, through the usual means; notably using the online campus Atenea. Should you have any question, please refer to your professor of the specific subject (for the one you have questions).

Face-to-face teaching is scheduled to resume on 31 October. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend you to stay attentive, in case that this measure should be further extended in time.

https://www.upc.edu/ca/sala-de-premsa/noticies/comunicat-sobre-indicacions-de-catsalut

COVID-19 measures without direct impact on university teaching

A series of restrictions, affecting businesses and others, are coming into effect at midnight between Thursday, 15 October and Friday, 16 October. These restrictions are scheduled to last for 15 days (for the moment).

                          SHUTDOWN (BARS, SHOPS, ETC. THAT HAVE TO CLOSE)
  • Bars, pubs and restaurants ¾ only take-away permitted
  • Beauty salons, excepting for hair salons
  • Gambling halls and arcades
  • Amusement parks and indoor playgrounds
  • Non-professional sports competitions

CAPACITY LIMITATION
  • Shops ¾ 30% of full capacity
  • Cultural venues (museums, cinemas, theatres, etc.) ¾ 50% of full capacity
  • Gyms  ¾ 50% of full capacity and no walk-in (appointment mandatory)
  • Religious and cult ceremonies ¾ 50% of full capacity

 

The Government also strongly recommends reducing unnecessary mobility and social contact. Remember that in several areas of Catalonia (including Barcelona and its adjacent area) group meetings are limited to maximum 6 people, both in private places and public spaces. Wearing a face mask is mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors, even when practicing social distancing.

 

What is the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in Catalonia?

As of October, the situation is critical, in accordance with several Western European countries. Nevertheless, most of the detected Covid-19 cases are mild and mostly affect young people aged 20-30. Family gatherings and social meetings are said to be at the core of most focuses. Below is a graphic for the last 14-day laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 case rate in the EU/EEA and the UK, as of 16 October.

Source: ECDC. Date: 16 October 2020.

 

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 ().