On 13 March, the Catalan Government published resolution SLT/716/2021 in the DOGC, extending most of the restrictions in force for shops, bars and restaurants until 29 March. However, it does include some easing of restrictions for the retail trade. More specifically, from Monday 15 March, non-essential establishments and shops in shopping centres will also be able to open at weekends. Until now they could only open from Monday to Friday. In addition, large establishments can open up to a maximum of 800 square metres, double the area allowed up to now. But capacity is still limited to 30%. Here is a summary of the measures:

There are no changes to the restrictions for shops

The resolution once again extends all the measures referring to the retail trade but with an important change: non-essential shops can now open during the weekend. In addition, large establishments can open up to a maximum of 800 square metres, double the area allowed up to now.

However, retailers are still limited to opening only 30% of the capacity allowed by their licence or business authorisation and subject to strict application of the hygiene, prevention and safety measures established to fight COVID-19 in the sectoral trade plan approved by government bodies in the PROCICAT action plan.

According to the new resolution, shops and commercial premises with a sales area of more than 800 square metres may continue to open, provided that they limit the space open to the public to this area only, and reduce customer capacity to 30% of the total permitted under the terms of their licence or authorisation of activity for this specific area.

Shopping centres: shops open, restaurants closed

The new resolution allows shops in shopping centres, galleries and precincts to open at weekends as well, provided they comply with the following requirements as well:

• Customer capacity must be reduced to 30% of that officially permitted.
• Furthermore, customer-capacity and flow-control systems must be established to ensure effective crowd control measures. Access to and use of recreational areas such as children’s areas, playgrounds or rest areas must be restricted.
• Strict conditions regarding ventilation and air quality must be met.
• The measures set out in the corresponding sectoral plan approved by the Steering Committee of the PROCICAT Action Plan must always be strictly complied with.

The resolution stipulates that restaurants, cafés and bars located in shopping centres or shopping arcades must still remain closed.

Current measures for bars and restaurants maintained

With the new resolution the measures for bars and restaurants have been extended. In other words, the hours for table service remain the same. Therefore, the authorised opening hours are as follows:

• • • • Table service in the establishment: between 07.30 am and 5 pm.
      • Collection of take-away food: between 6 am and 10 pm.
      • Home-delivery services: between 6 am and 11 pm.

Seating capacities have to be at 30% in indoor areas, which must always be well ventilated. There has to be a guaranteed and properly indicated minimum distance of two metres between customers at different tables or groups of tables. In the case of terraces, seating capacities may be at 100%, but there has to be a guaranteed and properly indicated minimum distance of two metres between customers at different tables or groups of tables. Food and drink must always be consumed at tables. The maximum number of customers per table or group of tables is four, unless they belong to the same bubble.

There has to be a guaranteed distance of one metre between people sitting at the same table, unless they belong to the same bubble. The type and size of table must permit these distances to be respected.

Hotels may provide a restaurant service exclusively for staying guests at supper time, in accordance with the opening hours established in section 6 of this Resolution.

It is important to remember that the resolution stipulates that restaurants, cafés and bars located in shopping centres or shopping arcades must still remain closed.