Ski resorts postpone opening in Cataluña as coronavirus cases worsen

Cataluña will not relax coronavirus restrictions on Monday as originally planned because of worsening infection rates, prompting some ski slopes to postpone their planned opening next week.

The winter skiing season has become a source of tension among European countries, with some allowing resorts to open and others, like Spain’s neighbour France, banning it and planning border checks to stop people from crossing the border.

In Cataluña, which borders France, public ski resorts had planned to open after the Dec 8th bank holiday.

The situation there worsened after bars and restaurants were allowed to reopen on Nov. 23, now the current restrictions will remain in place for at least another 15 days from Monday.

It comes as Cataluña is on alto alert according to Spain’s coronavirus four-tier system.

It has fallen below the extremo threshold of 250 cases per 100,000 over the last 14 days (currently at 214).

However its intensive care units are at 32% capacity – above a 25% threshold.

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