Collserola Park has partially reopened after a 17-day closure due to an African swine fever outbreak.
The Catalan government has relaxed restrictions in the six to 20-kilometre radius from the initial detection points, allowing individual access to the natural park.
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However, the ban on group activities remains, leaving local businesses struggling as visitor numbers stay critically low.
Collserola Park Businesses Face Economic Strain
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the park remains ghostly. Vallvidrera, a key meeting point for cyclists and hikers, was notably empty on Monday morning. Furthermore, the historic Bar Antiga Casa Trampa, founded in 1802, reported a dramatic drop in customers. Proprietor Sílvia Baldeliov lamented that their usual clientele of nearly a hundred cyclists and walkers per day has vanished, leaving only a handful of local residents.
“We live from this, so it doesn’t benefit us at all,” clarified one waiter. “If group activities are not allowed, business does not improve.” Consequently, this sentiment is echoed across the park’s hospitality sector, which relies heavily on organised outdoor groups.
Another popular spot, La Font de Les Planes, has fared slightly better. Alexander, a waiter there, confirmed customer volume has decreased but not excessively. Nevertheless, only a few cyclists braved the dense fog, sticking to main roads as many rural paths stayed closed. The government faces a significant challenge in redefining the perimeter, as many trails cross between municipalities with and without restrictions.
Catalan Government Maintains Cautious Stance
Agriculture Councillor Òscar Ordeig has stated that when in doubt, paths will remain closed. He expressed optimism about progress in negotiations with countries like Japan and the Philippines, which have currently banned Catalan pork exports. However, he urged continued “prudence” to prevent the virus from reaching farms.
Agricultural and livestock work is now permitted within the six to 20-kilometre zone. Additionally, the government is creating 30 new positions for hunting control, which will be approved this Tuesday. The councilor also confirmed that samples of the experimental virus and the one found in animals have been sent to a European lab for sequencing comparison, with results expected this week.
The origin of the outbreak remains under investigation. A genetic analysis determined the virus found in wild boar was similar to a strain that arrived in Georgia in 2007. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture commissioned an audit because this new pathogen variant does not resemble those circulating naturally. This audit will examine the hypothesis of a potential leak from the Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA), a laboratory working with the pathogen when it appeared nearby. According to recent reports on government actions, transparency and swift response are being prioritised.
The economic impact extends beyond the park, reflecting broader pressures on local commerce. The situation highlights the delicate balance between public health measures and supporting small businesses, a challenge familiar in urban centres grappling with various crises. For more on the economic challenges facing the region, see our coverage on rising costs and regulatory questions in Catalonia.
Ultimately, the phased reopening of Collserola Park represents a cautious first step. The full recovery of this vital natural and economic space for Barcelona depends on containing the virus and restoring public confidence to explore its trails once more.
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