Two northern Spanish regions bordering France, Catalonia and Navarra, have announced new coronavirus restrictions on public life to try to tame a rise in Covid-19 infections, AFP reported.

In Navarra, which is home to around 650,000 people, gatherings as of Tuesday will be limited to six people, bars and restaurants must close at 10 pm and their capacity will be limited to 30 per cent, regional leader Maria Chivite said.

Capacity at cinemas, theatres and libraries will reduced to 30pc while supermarkets will be limited to 40pc, she added.

In the northeastern region of Catalonia, which is home to around 7.5 million people, regional public health secretary Josep Maria Argimon urged companies to encourage their employees to work from home for the next 15 days.

He also asked universities to move their classes online during the next 15 days to reduce “social interactions”.