Spain limits sports capacity: 75% in stadiums, 50% in closed arenas

Health experts in Spain have approved reducing the maximum capacity allowed in large sporting events as a measure against the spread of the coronavirus.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the changes approved by the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS, in Spanish), in which the central and regional governments participate, cap attendance at matches of the football League (La Liga) and the basketball league (ACB), as well as other massive events.

Health experts have set a maximum capacity of up to 75% (until now it was 100%) for events in open venues. This means that all football stadiums will now be limited to 75-per-cent capacity for games in the first- and second-division Liga.

Closed arenas, for example where basketball and handball games are played, must adhere to an upper limit of 50 per cent (until now it was 80%), respecting non-pharmacological protection measures against Covid-19.

This was reported by the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, at a press conference after the plenary session where different aspects of the pandemic and the vaccination situation were analyzed.

Quarantine shortened

At the same meeting, the health authorities of the central government and the autonomous regions also agreed to shorten the quarantine period for Covid-19 positive cases from 10 to 7 days.

Minister Carolina Darias highlighted the boost that autonomous regions and cities are giving to vaccination. 80% of people over 60 have already received the booster dose, she explained.