In an interview on CNBC this morning, Catalan president Quim Torra said measures adopted in recent weeks have reduced the reproduction number of Covid-19 in the Lleida area to 1, which shows that the outbreak is being brought under control.

In a live interview on Squawk Box Europe, presented by journalist Steve Sedgwick, the head of the executive defended the Catalan government’s handling of the pandemic and said that in Catalonia and other Spanish territories affected by outbreaks “every effort has been made to implement international guidelines to keep the virus under control”. The president therefore rejected the idea that Catalonia is a dangerous place to visit. Torra said, “We need to learn to live with this virus”, emphasising the need to respond in a highly targeted way.

The head of the executive said that on Monday he had reminded citizens to keep in mind all of the preventive measures the Catalan government has taken up until now, stressing that with social distancing, use of face masks and hand-washing, “it’s possible to lead a normal life in Catalonia”. The president also said that infections are more common among young people and that the Catalan government has decided to ban drinking in public spaces and on beaches after midnight and is appealing to young people act responsibly.