Barcelona slashes capacity of ten beaches by 6,000 a day amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus 

Barcelona has slashed the capacity limit on ten of its beaches by 6,000 people amid concerns of a second wave of coronavirus.

Spain’s second-largest city implemented the measures to prevent another outbreak of the virus but also ruled out total blanket closures in the city.

The city is at the heart of an increase in coronavirus cases seen since Spain ended its state of emergency a month ago. 

Barcelona has slashed the capacity limit on ten of its beaches by 6,000 people amid concerns of a second wave of coronavirus

The move comes as the city, which has been at the centre of a recent rise in coronavirus cases, tries to prevent a second outbreak of the virus

The move comes as the city, which has been at the centre of a recent rise in coronavirus cases, tries to prevent a second outbreak of the virus

Tourists have also been told they ‘probably shouldn’t plan a visit on a Friday or at the weekends between 4pm and 8pm’ and on Friday residents were told not to leave their homes unless for essential trips.

The new order was confirmed today as part of tougher new regulations in Barcelona itself and its various municipalities. 

The ten beaches had space for 38,000 people in total which allowed for social distancing but capacity will now be cut by 15 per cent to 32,000.

Councillor for climate emergency Eloi Badia said the decision had been taken after consultations with the districts which would establish extra control measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

It had been decided not to close any of the beaches as this would only encourage a ‘mass exodus’ from one closed beach to another which was open.

Tourists have also been told they 'probably shouldn't plan a visit on a Friday or at the weekends between 4pm and 8pm'. Pictured: Local police officers inform people that the beach is closed in Barcelona on July 19

Tourists have also been told they ‘probably shouldn’t plan a visit on a Friday or at the weekends between 4pm and 8pm’. Pictured: Local police officers inform people that the beach is closed in Barcelona on July 19

The ten beaches had space for 38,000 people in total which allowed for social distancing but capacity will now be cut by 15 per cent to 32,000

The ten beaches had space for 38,000 people in total which allowed for social distancing but capacity will now be cut by 15 per cent to 32,000

Eloi Badia said they didn’t anticipate massive queues as a result of the reduced capacity as, with the exception of some weekends and Friday afternoons, the beaches hadn’t been full.

But he did say: ‘I would recommend not going to the beach on Friday and the weekend from 4ppm to 8pm which is when there is the most occupation.’

Last weekend, five beaches, including La Barceloneta, had to be closed at some stage because they had reached full capacity. 

This was despite the new lockdown measures imposed by the Generalitat of Catalonia which recommended the citizens of Barcelona and its metropolitan area, which number about four million, not to go outside to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

A web page has been set up (barcelona.cat/plages) where tourists can find out the occupation of the beaches.

Councillor for climate emergency Eloi Badia said the decision had been taken after consultations with the districts

Councillor for climate emergency Eloi Badia said the decision had been taken after consultations with the districts

The decision was made not to close any of the beaches completely in case people were put off from visiting those beaches which remained open

The decision was made not to close any of the beaches completely in case people were put off from visiting those beaches which remained open

The system for calculating the surface available on the beaches of Barcelona has been maintained by a system of video sensors that monitor its beaches.

18 of these sensors were installed on June 8th, coinciding with the start of the bathing season.

Indicators are created based on the information obtained by the sensors and they show:

  • Green indicator: low occupancy (less than 40%).
  • Yellow indicator: normal employment (between 40% and 60%).
  • Orange indicator: high occupancy (between 60% and 80%). It is recommended to go to beaches with less influx of people and regulated access begins on that beach.
  • Red indicator: very high employment (more than 80%). Access to the beach is closed and users are informed through informants and informants with the support of the Barcelona City Guard.
The system for calculating the surface available on the beaches of Barcelona has been maintained by a system of 18 video sensors that monitor its beaches

The system for calculating the surface available on the beaches of Barcelona has been maintained by a system of 18 video sensors that monitor its beaches

Restrictions have also been imposed on other businesses, with cinemas, nightclubs and gyms all being told to close their doors again in Barcelona

Restrictions have also been imposed on other businesses, with cinemas, nightclubs and gyms all being told to close their doors again in Barcelona

In addition, the beach public address system also reports on the state of occupation, access points and other prevention recommendations. 

Restrictions have also been imposed on other businesses, with cinemas, nightclubs and gyms all being told to close their doors again in Barcelona.

Gatherings of more than ten people has also been banned with the occupancy of bars and restaurants reduced. 

Oscar Simon, the head of a martial arts school asked: ‘Why do we have to be closed?’

‘We cannot cope with this crisis, three more months closed will send us to our death,’ Simon said, stressing he had spent a lot of money in protective equipment that guaranteed health standards.

Catalonia’s deputy leader Pere Aragones told a press conference that the region, which Barcelona is the capital of, is seeking 30billion euros from the 140billion received by the Spanish government from the EU to help businesses and residents.

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