People in Barcelona have been told to stay inside their homes following a massive increase in the number of coronavirus cases.
Around five million people in the capital and 12 municipalities in its metropolitan area have been encouraged to follow the advice. It is not yet clear if they will be ordered to stay indoors within the next few days if they fail to respect the message.
The news is a blow for holidaymakers in Barcelona, one of Spain’s tourism hotspots. Gyms, theatres and cinemas in the affected regions also have to shut. Meritxell Budo, spokesman for the Catalan government, said residents should stay at home as much as possible.
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He said: “We ask citizens not to leave home unless it’s strictly necessary. We also urge people not to travel to second homes this weekend. We are being obliged to take this step backwards. We urge people to demonstrate maximum awareness and put an end to the relaxation we have been seeing in the last few weeks.”
There are currently around 30 active outbreaks of Covid-19 in Barcelona and the number of cases has tripled in the past week.
Just over 150 new cases were detected last week and the number this week has jumped to more than 500. A lockdown is still in place for 140,000 inhabitants in Lleida 100 miles west of Barcelona and seven nearby municipalities.
People there have been ordered to stand indoors unless it is “strictly necessary” to leave home, with the exceptions being more than during the state of alarm.
Photo Credit: Getty
