Catalonia extends public drinking ban for another two weeks

The Catalan government has extended the public drinking ban for a further 15 days, reports Catalan News.

This means that the ban will stay in place until at least August 27th. 

The ban was announced at the end of July and prohibits the consumption of alcohol on beaches, in public squares and on the street. 

The rule was brought into place in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 among people socialising in large groups.

Drinking in public places such as on the beach or the street with groups of friends is known as botellón in Spanish, and is particularly popular among the young. 

The drinking ban has also been put in place in Andalusia, Aragón, Galicia, Valencia, the Balearics, the Canaries and Pamplona. 

The rule in Catalonia states: “For reasons of public health, the shared consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited throughout the territory of Catalonia.”

It is up local authorities and councils in each region of Spain to enforce the ban. Fines of between €3,001 and €15,000 can be issued to those found drinking in public and breaching the rules. 

Licensed premises are not affected by the bans, which came into effect after public health authorities identified public drinking risking the spread of coronavirus.