PHOTOS: Catalonia nightclubs, discos close as coronavirus cases spread

The Catalan government on Friday ordered the closure of all nightclubs, discos and event halls across this region of northeastern Spain following a surge in cases of coronavirus. The order, which will come into effect on Saturday and remain in force for two weeks, was given as Spain watches more than 280 new outbreaks, with virus cases tripling in the past fortnight. Nearly half of all new cases have been in Catalonia, where just a week ago, officials urged nearly four million residents of metropolitan Barcelona to stay home unless absolutely necessary. The order also banned musical events with dance floors and imposed a midnight curfew on gambling establishments, casinos, bingo halls, bars and restaurants and their terraces, and music bars. Barely a month after Spain ended its months-long state of emergency, new infections have been rising, with health officials increasingly pointed to nightlife as fertile ground for the spread of the virus.

Updated on: Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM IST

Lifestyle

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM

A DJ performs in a discotheque in Madrid, Spain, early Saturday, July 25, 2020. Nightlife is becoming the new target of Spanish authorities attempting to contain a spike in coronavirus infections since the country ended a lockdown. The Catalonia regional government has shut nightlife venues in Barcelona, and on Friday officials in Madrid said they were considering a similar step. (AP)

2/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM

People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus gather in a discotheque in Madrid, Spain, early Saturday, July 25, 2020. \ (AP)

3/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM

People gather in a discotheque in Madrid, Spain, early Saturday, July 25, 2020. Nightlife is becoming the new target of Spanish authorities attempting to contain a spike in coronavirus infections since the country ended a lockdown. (AP)

4/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM

Waiters wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus wait customers in a discotheque in Madrid, Spain, early Saturday, July 25, 2020. (AP)

5/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM

People walk at night in Gracia neighbourhood in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2020. Health authorities in the northeastern region of Catalonia have ordered nightclubs to be fully closed and bars and restaurant in Barcelona to shut down by midnight in an effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP)

6/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:39 PM

People gather outside a restaurant at night in Gracia neighbourhood in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2020. (AP)