Bosses of tourism in popular Spanish holiday hotspots have updated their guidance relating to Covid-19, reintroducing a previous rule due to rising cases and increased risk of new variants and strains.
Health experts across Costa del Sol, Malaga, and Seville are now asking people to consider wearing masks when in crowded places in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
And while the rule has been introduced as advice, it is currently not mandatory for holidaymakers visiting the regions.
Read more: Popular Spanish holiday destinations contemplate bringing back 'some sort' of Covid restrictions
The Daily Star reports that during a meeting yesterday executives urged everyone – locals and tourists – to make sure they are vigilant at all times in the face of new strains and rising cases in China, which recently opened its borders to the world. Spain also does not allow unvaccinated travellers from China to enter the country, reports the Mirror.
For now, Brits who have not had a vaccination are able to holiday in Spain as the gov.uk site states: "Spain does not require any proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or a COVID-19 recovery certificate to enter the country, regardless of your vaccination status."
Spanish health chiefs decided to reimpose some regulations which had been lifted last year, but only in relation to nursing homes. It's important to remember that Spain has a series of local governments who can change Covid rules at any time – so always check the local requirements before booking or flying.
Local rules don't just apply to Covid either – a ban on all smoking on Barcelona's beaches was brought into force just last year. You should also take a mask with you if heading to Spain as restrictions can change at any moment, and you don't want to be caught out in private business spaces when you're asked to put one on.
On Tuesday, Spain's health minister, Carolina Darias, hinted that the requirement to wear masks on public transport would be scrapped soon, without giving any specific date. The president of Andalusia – where Costa del Sol, Málaga, and Seville are based – Juanma Moreno said he was not impressed by her remarks and that he would continue suggesting masks be worn.
He said people in general and especially those from vulnerable groups should wear masks in those indoor places where there are crowds of people, without being able to maintain a safe distance.
For nursing homes, the regional government is turning back the clocks and reintroducing the booking system for visitors to make sure they are not showing any signs of Covid. This won't affect holidaymakers who were fearing that other tougher measures might be introduced.
While the vaccine requirements have been scrapped for entry into Spain, there are some things worth considering before booking a holiday there. Brits heading to the country must make sure that their passport was both issued in the past 10 years at the time of entry, and it must be valid for at least three months on the date that you leave the country.
You will not need a visa as you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without one.
But make sure you get your passport stamped when you enter or exit the country, as this is used to keep track of how long you've been there for. You can check Spain's entry requirements on the gov.uk website.
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