Surge in downloads crashes Catalonia's new COVID pass

Customer has his coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health pass, known as a Green Pass, checked by a worker as he arrives at Laie restaurant in Barcelona, Spain November 26, 2021. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

BARCELONA (Reuters) - The Spanish region of Catalonia postponed the introduction of mandatory COVID passes at bars, restaurants and gyms on Friday after thousands of people attempted to download the certificate from a local government website and crashed the system.

Regional health chief Josep Maria Argimon said the requirement would come into force on Monday as very intense traffic on the website had prevented many from acquiring the pass on Friday.