The Camp Nou will be able to fill up for the crucial Champions League matches against Dynamo Kiev and the league classic against Real Madrid next week, following the Catalan regional government’s decision to relax anticovid measures.
"As of Friday, the vast majority of capacity limitations will no longer take effect"Regional President Pere Aragonès said at a press conference on Tuesday.
"We return to 100% capacity in cultural spaces, outdoor sports facilities and in bars and restaurants, which will return to normal hours"Aragonès added.
The decision of the Catalan regional government thus eliminates as of Friday the limitation to 60% of the capacity in the stadiums that was in force until now.
The measure has been well received by Catalan teams, such as Barcelona, whose president, Joan Laporta, had already shown his desire to be able to fill the Camp Nou.
"It is a very great damage. I would appreciate it if you could give it another spin because it hurts us a lot financially", Laporta affirmed on September 29, after the Spanish central government authorized the return to 100% in the stadiums.
Catalonia and the Basque Country decided, however, then to maintain their own restrictions.
"Full capacity is back at Camp Nou! After more than a year and a half, the Barcelona stadium will be able to fill up again without restrictions", the Barça club was delighted on its website.
The measure comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic remains under control in Spain, where on Monday an incidence of 46 cases per 100,000 inhabitants was recorded at 14 days: the lowest incidence since July 2020.
The measure also comes in a crucial week for Barcelona with three games in their stadium in which they will be able to count on the support of their entire audience.
Barça will host Valencia on Sunday in the 9th League match, before also facing Dinamo Kiev in an important Champions League match at their stadium.
The week will end with the classic league on October 24, in which Real Madrid will visit the Barça fiefdom.
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