Negative travel advice for Barcelona; Antwerp calls tourists to stay away

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs tightened its travel advice for Barcelona due to an increase in coronavirus infections. The advice for the Spanish city moved from 'code yellow' to 'code orange', which means that all but essential trips to the region are strongly discouraged. The essential-trips-only travel advice also applies to the suburbs around Barcelona.

"Tourist visits are strongly discouraged. The advice for Greater Barcelona will immediately change from 'yellow' to orange'. If you are in this area now, consider whether you want to end your stay early," the Ministry said. Dutch travelers returning from the Barcelona region are urgently advised to quarantine at home for two weeks and monitor their health.

Stricter coronavirus measures already apply in other parts of Spain, including the Aragon region. People are advised to stay home as much as possible, and catering establishments are only open to a limited extent.

Antwerp in Belgium also implemented extra measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The province is home to half of all coronavirus infections in Belgium, NOS reports. "The epidemiological situation unfortunately forces us to take additional appropriate measures on top of the additional measures taken by the National Security Council," provincial director Cathy Berx said. 

A curfew will apply in the province - everyone must be at home between 11:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Everyone aged 12 or older must wear a face mask in public spaces and in areas where social distancing is impossible. The catering industry must close by 11:00 p.m. at the latest. Individual contact sports are prohibited, as are team sports for athletes aged 18 or older. working from home is mandatory unless it is impossible. Events are canceled and fitness centers and banquet halls are closed.

"Partying is absolutely forbidden," Berx said. "Don't leave the city to party elsewhere. Conversely, we really recommend that people not come to the Antwerp region for the sake of your own health."