The Generalitat de Catalunya has confirmed it is in talks with FC Barcelona with a view to the Spanish LaLiga football club’s Camp Nou hosting a COVID-19 vaccination centre.
The Catalan government’s Secretary of Public Health, Josep Maria Argimon, told Catalunya Ràdio that unofficial talks have already been held with Barcelona, adding the proposals have been received well.
The Generalitat is hoping to vaccinate up to 150,000 people per day, when this is possible, with primary care centres targeted as the main hubs for vaccinations, along with large facilities such as sports venues, museums and universities. As well as the Camp Nou, La Sagrada Familia and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) are also being discussed as sites.
Argimon said: “We are interested in having emblematic spaces that draw the attention of the public to the need to get vaccinated. We have also thought about the Oval Room of the MNAC and other emblematic spaces of the largest cities in Catalonia.”
However, a swift decision on Barcelona’s iconic stadium being utilised as a vaccination centre is unlikely with the club currently in the midst of an election process. Josep Maria Bartomeu tendered his resignation as president in October after facing a vote of no confidence.
Presidential elections are set for March 7, with Joan Laporta, Víctor Font and Toni Freixa in contention to become Barcelona’s next leader. The winner would have the final say on the Camp Nou’s potential usage in the fight against the global pandemic.
Image: Marco Verch/CC BY 2.0/Edited for size
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