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AFP
The use of masks is promoted in Barcelona as the region supports new restrictions
The region of Catalonia in the northeast of Spain has once again registered a daily Covid-19 infection figure of more than 1,000, as residents endure new restrictions.
Health authorities are trying to stop the increase this week, which has led four million people in Barcelona to stay home for 15 days.
The one in Catalonia is the worst of the 150 Spanish outbreaks and neighboring France says that the closing of the borders should be discussed.
Spain has registered 260,000 cases and there have been 28,400 deaths.
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What is the latest in Catalonia?
The latest 24-hour figures from the region’s health department recorded another 1,226 cases on Saturday, 894 of them in the Barcelona metropolitan area, adding to an increase in the last week.
The increase led to new difficult measures that were announced on Friday.
Although they did not represent a total blockade, they have caused considerable concern in a region that expected to see a reduction in restrictions.
The measures, for an initial period of 15 days for Barcelona, La Noguera and El Segrià, include:
- There are no meetings of more than 10 people in public or private.
- Do not visit nursing homes
- Just leave the house for essential activities
- Closing of nightclubs and gyms, restrictions on bars and restaurants, suspension of cultural activities and recreational sports.
Barcelona bar owner Maria Quintana told AFP: “We had just seen things come to life with the arrival of a few foreign tourists, so this is a step backwards.”
Spain only ended its harsh national closure about four weeks ago and hoped to revive the economy, particularly with the number of tourists.
The streets of Barcelona were reported to be emptier on Saturday, although some residents may have defied orders and gone out in cars for second homes.
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What did France say?
New Prime Minister Jean Castex was asked if a border closure could be possible amid Spain’s report of 150 new virus groups.
He said: “We are monitoring this very closely, particularly here, because it is a real issue that we must also discuss with the Spanish authorities.”
The border was only reopened to general citizens on June 21.
France’s deaths from coronavirus are currently just over 30,000.
How are the EU plans for coronavirus relief going?
Discussions in Brussels on a major post-coronavirus economic recovery plan continued to move forward.
The second day of talks received mixed criticism. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said there was a “deadlock,” but Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he thought they were going in the right direction.
Some northern “frugal” nations like the Netherlands and Sweden have rejected the € 750 billion ($ 857 billion; £ 680 billion) package, arguing that it should be loans, not grants.
A revised plan would tone down the level of subsidies, but there seems to be a long way to go.
