A short and clear message from the Catalan health and interior ministers. Alba Vergés and Miquel Sàmper have appealed to the responsibility of the public to curb the risk of infection during these Christmas festivities. As Catalonia heads into Christmas and Sant Esteve - Boxing Day - when some family gatherings will be inevitable, the government calls for "the least possible interaction".
"Even though something is allowed, does not mean it has to be done," said Miquel Sàmper in the face of the exceptional measures that have been put in place for these holidays. Maximum gathering size is expanded from 6 to 10 people, with a limit of two household bubbles. It is recommended for these gatherings to be held in large spaces with a lot of ventilation, or even outside, and to avoid people "crowding the kitchen". Tonight, Christmas Eve, curfew is put back until 1am.
"We cannot lower our guard," said health minister Alba Vergés, calling for extreme care. Vergés called on the public to "take care of our people, to ensure the best possible January", and said that much of the responsibility is in the hands of the people: "What we do over these next days will determine the harshness of January."
The coronavirus indicators continue to rise, “slowly,” but significantly. This week's total of new cases is expected to reach 14,000 - that is, 2,000 a day. The first vaccines will be given on Sunday 27th, at the Feixa Llarga care home in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. But, as public health secretary Josep Maria Argimon has said, "that is a hope that will last a year."
What we have before us will be a "different Christmas", Vergés said. "A different, unique Christmas," said Samper. "The rules provide for a situation of maximums, but this must be understood as an exception," said Civil Protection deputy director Sergio Delgado.
Miquel Sàmper asked that "if it is not absolutely essential and necessary", family reunions should not be held, appealing to co-responsibility in order to "reach group immunity".
"Catalonia is in a delicate situation"
Public health director Argimon admitted that there are complex situations in other Catalan counties as well as Ripollès and Cerdanya, which have had tough new measures including perimeter closure imposed since Tuesday. He ruled out closing more counties, but instead placed the emphasis on general decisions affecting all of Catalonia: "All of Catalonia is in a difficult situation, we are thinking of measures throughout Catalonia."
After this Christmas weekend, the Catalan government expects that Catalonia's Rt will be situated between 1.2 and 1.3.
And the Reis parade on January 5th?
At the time of year when preparations are normally in full swing for for the processions of the Reis or Three Kings, Sergio Delgado today wanted to emphasize that "the norm is clear: static and with controlled perimeters." In other words, the normal January 5th parade through the streets will have to be replaced by a more stationary spectacle, with control on admission of the public to keep numbers to safe levels.
He stressed that contagions are taking place at cultural events in the street and reiterates the rule that there no more than 6 people must come together on such occasions.
"As a society we cannot afford" parades to be a source of contagion, and he stressed that in the case of small towns - from which they are receiving various inquiries - "the risk percentage is greater."