Barcelona limits access to public beaches amid COVID-19 resurgence

Barcelona, July 20 (RHC)-- Police in Barcelona are limiting access to some of the city's beaches because sunbathers are ignoring regulations amid a resurgence of the coronavirus.

Catalan health authorities reported over 1,200 new cases on Saturday from the preceding 24 hours. The new outbreaks have forced regional officials to announce the prohibition of gatherings of over 10 people that went into effect Saturday.

Barcelona and other areas of the surrounding northeast Catalonia region have experienced the largest outbreaks in Spain since the European country ended a strict three-month nationwide lockdown.

The mandatory use of face masks is rapidly spreading across Spain as officials grapple with more than 180 active outbreaks, most in Catalonia and neighbouring Aragon regions.

The coronavirus has resulted in at least 28,000 confirmed deaths in Spain.