Barcelona Coronavirus June 2020 - Daily Updates and Advice for Visiting Groups

Tuesday 30 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has registered 20 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Nine new deaths have been reported today, with the official coronavirus death toll now at 28,355.

The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 99, a small increase compared to yesterday when 84 were registered. In total, 249,271 have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

After almost 100 days of confinement and six extensions of the state of alarm, Spain has reached the so-called new normal. Restrictions on mobility have been lifted and borders with the EU have been opened (except for Portugal, which will open on July 1).

The football season has resumed and Spain will reopen to all international tourism from July.

Monday 29 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has registered 12 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Three new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,346. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 84, a decrease compared to yesterday when 118 were registered. In total, 248,970 have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Sunday 28 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has registered 13 deaths from coronavirus in the last week.Two new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,343. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 118, a decrease compared to yesterday when 191 were registered. In total, 248,770 have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Saturday 27 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has registered 13 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Three new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,341. For a second day, the number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 191. In total, 248,469 have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Friday 26 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has registered 11 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Eight new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,338. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 191, an increase compared to yesterday when 157 were registered. In total, 247,905 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

When you return to the UK, you must follow the rules for entering. You:

need to provide your journey and contact details up to 48 hours before you are due to arrive in the UK;
are not allowed to leave the place you are staying for the first 14 days you are in the UK except in very limited situations (known as 'self-isolating').

The UK government is set to unveil 'air bridge' deals with other countries in time for quarantine rules to change next Monday. France, Spain, Italy and Greece are believed to have secured deals that will allow UK tourists to visit with insurance in place and not face 14-day isolation on their return.

In Catalonia, the government entrusts individuals with the responsibility to avoid contagion. The restrictions on capacity, both indoors and outdoors, no longer apply. The permitted capacity of each venue is subject only to the ability to guarantee a safety distance between people of 1.5 metres. This is equivalent to a ratio of 2.5 mÂ² per person. The use of face masks is mandatory whenever the 1.5 metre distance cannot be ensured.

The football season has resumed and Spain will reopen to all international tourism from July.

Thursday 25 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 11 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Three new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,330. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 157, a decrease compared to yesterday when 196 were registered. In total, 247,486 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

In Catalonia, the government entrusts individuals with the responsibility to avoid contagion. The capacity limits will continue until June 25 (50% for premises with only closed spaces and 70% for those with an outdoor terrace), but from that date customers will be entrusted to maintain safe distances. In outdoor events, the safety distance of 1.5 metres must be respected, although it can be lowered if a mask is used.

The football season has resumed and Spain will reopen to all international tourism from July.

Wednesday 24 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 10 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Two new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,327. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 196, a large increase compared to yesterday when 108 were registered. It is the highest number of new infections since June 3, when 219 new cases were recorded. In total, 247,086 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Tuesday 23 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 14 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. One new death has been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,325. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 108, a small decrease compared to yesterday when 125 were registered. In total, 246,752 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Monday 22 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 21 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. One new death has been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,324. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 125, a small decrease compared to yesterday when 141 were registered. In total, 246,504 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Sunday 21 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 29 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. One new death has been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,323. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 141, an increase compared to yesterday when 134 were registered. In total, 246,272 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Saturday 20 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 36 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. Seven new deaths have been reported today, with the official death toll now at 28,322. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 134, a decrease compared to yesterday when 154 were registered. In total, 245,938 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

The State of Alarm in Spain will be lifted from tomorrow, when free movement of the population will return, borders with all EU countries except Portugal will be reopened and the 14-day quarantine that Spain has imposed on foreign travellers arriving in the country will end. Borders with Portugal will reopen on July 1.

The interpersonal distance to avoid contagion by coronavirus will be fixed at 1.5 metres. Where it is not possible to preserve this safety distance, the use of masks will be mandatory. These measures will last for several months, or until there is a clear vaccine or therapy against the virus.

On Thursday, the Government approved Barcelona moving to phase 3 of the de-escalation process. In this phase, meetings of up to 20 people are allowed - always keeping safety distances - and the opening of bars or outdoor terraces of up to 75% of their capacity. In addition, all shops can now be opened - regardless of their surface area - to 50% of their capacity. Tourist recreation centres, zoos and aquariums can reopen, also to half their capacity. Cultural activities in libraries and museums and leisure activities for young people and children will now be allowed.

The football season has resumed and Spain will reopen to all international tourism from July.

Friday 19 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 40 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. The Ministry has updated the total number of deaths and has raised the death toll from the pandemic to 28,315. An additional 1,177 deaths are now added to the 27,136 registered when the Ministry stopped updating the data on June 7. The delay was due to the wait for some autonomous communities to validate some deaths that occurred prior to May 11.

The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 154, an increase compared to yesterday when 143 were registered. In total, 245,575 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Thursday 18 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 52 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The total number of deaths has not been updated for 12 days after changes in the way the data is recorded. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 143, an increase compared to yesterday when 141 were registered. In total, 245,268 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Wednesday 17 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 30 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The total number of deaths has not been updated for 24 days after changes in the way the data is recorded. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 141, an increase compared to yesterday when 76 were registered. In total, 244,683 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Tuesday 16 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 25 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The total number of deaths has not been updated for 23 days after changes in the way the data is recorded. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 76, an increase compared to yesterday when 40 were registered. In total, 244,328 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

The Government approved Barcelona and Madrid moving to phase 2 of the de-escalation process from last week. Phase 2 allows for the elimination of exercise time slots, the expansion of the number of people who can meet (from 10 to 15), visits to relatives in residences for the elderly and the opening of beaches and swimming pools. Half of Spain has already moved to phase 3.

Monday 15 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 25 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The total number of deaths has not been updated for 22 days after changes in the way the data is recorded. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 40, a decrease compared to yesterday when 48 were registered. In total, 244,109 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Sunday 14 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 26 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The total number of deaths has not been updated for 20 days after changes in the way the data is recorded. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 48, a decrease compared to yesterday when 130 were registered. In total, 243,928 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Saturday 13 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 27 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The total number of deaths has not been updated for 20 days after changes in the way the data is recorded. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 130, a decrease compared to yesterday when 155 were registered. In total, 243,605 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Friday 12 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 25 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 155, a slight decrease compared to yesterday when 156 were registered. In total, 243,209 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Thursday 11 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 32 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 156, a slight decrease compared to yesterday when 167 were registered. In total, 242,707 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Wednesday 10 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 40 deaths from coronavirus in the last week. No new deaths have been reported today, with the total number of deaths remaining unchanged at 27,136. The number of infections diagnosed by PCR in the last 24 hours is 167, a strong increase compared to yesterday when 84 were registered. In total, 242,280 people have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

Tuesday 9 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported no deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 50 deaths in the last seven days. There has been an increase in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR, with 84 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,136 people have died and 241,966 have been infected.

Monday 8 June 2020

The number of cases of new coronavirus infections in Spain in the last 24 hours has decreased considerably with 48 registered today. There have been no deaths registered in the last 24 hours. Regarding the number of deaths in the last week, the decrease has also been notable: yesterday there were 72 deaths in the last 7 days and today, 56. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,136 people have died and 241,717 have been infected.

Sunday 7 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has again reported only one death from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 72 deaths in the last seven days. There has been a further decrease in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR, with 102 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,136 people have died and 241,550 have been infected.

Saturday 6 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has again reported only one death from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 67 deaths in the last seven days. There has been a further decrease in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR, with 164 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,135 people have died and 241,310 have been infected.

Friday 5 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported one deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 52 deaths in the last seven days. There has been a further decrease in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR with 177 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,134 people have died and 240,978 have been infected.

Thursday 4 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported 5 deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 56 deaths in the last seven days. There has been a decrease in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR with 195 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,133 people have died and 240,660 have been infected.

The Government approved Barcelona and Madrid moving to phase 1 of the de-escalation process from last week.

Wednesday 3 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported one death from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 63 deaths in the last seven days. There has been an increase in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR with 219 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,128 people have died and 240,326 have been infected.

Tuesday 2 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has again reported no deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 34 deaths in the last seven days. There has been an increase in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR with 137 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,127 people have died and 239,932 have suffered from the disease.

Monday 1 June 2020

The Ministry of Health in Spain has reported no deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with a total of 35 deaths in the last seven days. There has been a further decrease in the number of infected cases diagnosed by PCR with 71 reported today. Since the beginning of the health crisis, 27,127 people have died and 239,638 have suffered from the disease.

UK FCO Advice Saturday, December 21st, 2024: FCO advises against all non-essential travel to Spain

Foot Notes

¹ Chinese and American researchers have used the infection data from the first few weeks to model the temporal and spatial evolution of the coronavirus first in Wuhan, the start of the pandemic, and later in 375 other Chinese cities. To see how the virus could progress, they overlapped this information with the movement patterns of hundreds of millions of Chinese recorded by the telecommunications company Tencent in Chunyun 2018. This period of the Chinese lunar calendar begins a few days before the Chinese New Year. and it lasts for several weeks afterwards. This year, the New Year fell precisely on January 23. Thus they were able to estimate how the coronavirus moved. The work, published in the Science journal, has found that until Wuhan's forced isolation, 86% of all infections were not being detected. That is, only 14% of the infected were under control. The rest, whether asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, continued to lead their normal lives. Thus, for many days there were two very different transmission rates. That January 23, there were only 801 documented cases throughout China, while the total number of new COVID-19 infections during 10-23 January in Wuhan city is estimated at 13,118 (documented and undocumented combined).
After Wuhan's closure measures, later extended to much of China, the dynamics of the epidemic changed in the city of origin. Between January 24 and February 8, the study authors estimate that the percentage of invisible infected people drops to 35%. They also come to light faster. For the first time, the basic reproduction number (R0) of the epidemic, understood as new infections for each infected person while sick, fell to 0.99. It was the first step in controlling the epidemic, although only in Wuhan.
Source: Science Magazine
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/03/13/science.abb3221

² The National Centre for Epidemiology estimate that the number of those affected in the 2017-2018 influenza season was 752,000 people, with nearly 15,000 related deaths. Hospitalisation was necessary in 52,000 of the cases, 14,000 of them had serious complications and 3,000 required admission to the ICU.
Source: Epidemiology and Public Health Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER)
https://www.ciberisciii.es/noticias/estiman-en-800000-personas-los-afectados-por-la-gripe-del-pasado-ano

³ According to the National Centre for Epidemiology, some 6,300 people died in Spain due to influenza last season, 2018-2019. The Influenza Surveillance System estimated that 490,000 people affected by mild cases of this pathology attended the Primary Care centres, in addition to some 35,300 confirmed hospitalised patients, of which 2,500 entered the ICU. Among the deaths registered in the country, 83% were older than 64 years and 13% belonged to the group of 45-64 years.
Source: DiarodeAvisos https://diariodeavisos.elespanol.com/2019/10/6-300-personas-fallecieron-por-la-gripe-la-pasada-temporada/

⁴ The first of the deaths from coronavirus recorded in Spain occurred on February 13, although the patient, a 69-year-old man, had travelled to Nepal, making it difficult to track the infection. The case was discovered by an autopsy.

⁵ Since 2010, both the governments of Spain and those of its different autonomies (health care is a transferred competence) have approved a series of health care cuts that weakened the system. In 2020, Spain budgeted 5.9% of its GDP for public health spending. This percentage was 6.77% in 2009. Catalonia is one of the Spanish autonomous regions that has cut the most in recent years, dedicating just 3.9% of its GDP to public health this year. The European average is 7.5%
Source: El Periodico: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sanidad/20200318/recortes-7895906
A December 2019 FACUA report reveals that Catalonia is the Spanish region with the longest wait for a Public Health family doctor appointment. 74% of respondents expect a wait of at least one week.
Source: El Periodico: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/20191215/catalunya-comunidad-mayor-tiempo-espera-medico-cabecera-7772135