Barcelona
Ciutat Refugi Ajuntament de Barcelona

The Mayoral decree signed March, 15th following the nationwide state of emergency declared for COVID-19 guarantees essential services such as healthcare, social services, security, public transport and information for citizens. People are advised to stay at home as much as possible to help with prevention.

The municipal decree signed March, 15th establishes that 44% of municipal staff will keep working to maintain essential services needed to guarantee the city operates properly.

Public services operating

• All services relating the healthcare system, such as hospitals, primary healthcare centres, chemists and healthcare-related transport.
• Basic services provided by the Municipal Institute of Social Services (IMSS).
• Cleaning and waste collection services.
• Barcelona City Police.
• Fire Prevention, Extinction and Rescue Service, along with Civil Protection.
• Public transport. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) will be adapting its metro and bus services.
• District Manager’s Offices.
• Information for citizens.
• Mercabarna and the Municipal Institute of Markets, along with the whole food supply chain.
• Transport of goods, with flexibilization of loading and unloading times.
• Mobility and maintenance service and management of infrastructures.
• Cemeteries and Funeral Service.
• Penitentiary services.
• Embassies and consulates.
• Prosecution services, criminal judges, duty judges, civil judges and commercial court judges.
• Civil, Commercial and Land Register.

Water electricity and gas supplies are also guaranteed.

Mobility services

In line with recommendations from healthcare authorities and in coordination with the Barcelona Public Health Agency, the Bicing service was suspended on Monday 16 March at 3 pm. At the same time, metro and bus services operated by TMB have been adapted to current demand, which is down by between 75% and 80%.

Loading and unloading has been made more flexible and the limits on vehicle tonnages suspended to ensure the supply for essential goods and services. Finally, there will be no fines in regulated on-street parking areas (blue and green zones).

Full information on the measures applied in the city to curb the spread of COVID-19 can be found here.

Stay at home

As a preventative measure and to minimise the risk of infection, people are advised to stay at home as much as possible. Remember you can only get around in the city to:

• buy food, medicine and essential items
• go to healthcare centres
• go to work
• go home
• help senior citizens, minors and dependent people
• go to financial entities
• walk the dog
• force majeure situation

During the state of emergency, over four hundred municipal facilities will be closed, including the 148 public parks and gardens in the city with gates.

Citizen Help and Information Offices (OAC) will also be closed. All procedures will be handled by the 010 phone service and the procedures website.

Responsible use of the healthcare system

To prevent the healthcare system from collapsing, only go to your healthcare centre if it is strictly necessary

Remember if you have any queries you can call 010 and if you feel unwell you can call 061.

Health recommendations

• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid sharing food and utensils.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Keep two metres away from other people.

Full information can be found on the Barcelona Public Health Agency website.