Covid-19: Catalonia chooses small businesses rather than supermarkets

Catalan shopping centers had to close their doors, with the exception of shops with a direct exit to the street which may open.

REUTERS / Albert Gea

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2 min

In Spain, regions can decide on restrictive measures to fight the coronavirus.

Catalonia has chosen the opposite as in France: it favors small shops over supermarkets.

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With our correspondent in Barcelona,

Catalonia has for once done the opposite of its French neighbor.

In the Spanish region, all small businesses deemed “non-essential” such as hairdressing salons, clothing stores or even bookstores remain open to the public.

On the other hand, the regional government has imposed strict restrictions on larger stores.

Since last Friday, all stores over 800 square meters have to remain closed or reduce their area.

And shopping centers are also closed: only shops with a direct exit to the street can open.

Bars, restaurants, theaters and cinemas closed

The regional executive thus wishes to reduce especially gatherings in large closed spaces while preserving small businesses to save the economy.

But these choices are also causing

in other sectors not spared: bars, restaurants, theaters and cinemas blame the region for their total closure which they consider unfair.

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• Spain

• Coronavirus

• Catalonia

• Trade and distribution

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