Spain's north-eastern region of Catalonia will lift an overnight curfew that has been in force since late December despite the high coronavirus infection rate, according to the El Pais newspaper.
The current seven-day incidence rate of 2,290 per 100,000 residents is more than four times higher than when the measure was ordered, the report said.
On December 23, the incidence rate had stood at 506.
But the Catalan regional government in Barcelona argued the number of new daily infections has been falling in recent days, which means the 1 am to 6 am curfew could be safely lifted on Friday, El Pais said.
The decline in infections is attributed to the end of a stretch of public holidays over the festive period, which in Spain lasts until Epiphany on January 6. The decision to lift the curfew was made on Monday by the Catalan government’s Covid-19 advisory committee.
Nightclubs, discos
Nightclubs and discos remain closed in Catalonia. There is a 50% capacity cap indoor dining at restaurants. In almost all other public facilities and shops, only 70% of the capacity may be used.
The number of participants in public and private gatherings remains limited to 10.
Going out restrictions do not exist anywhere else in Spain, which has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe.
