Governments in Spain's Canary and Balearic islands have confirmed strict Covid rules will be introduced to control a rising number of Omicron cases.
The Balearic Islands - which includes Majorca and Ibiza - are currently at level three risk in Spain's national alert level, whilst Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma in the Canaries, are at a more serious level four risk. Neighbouring Lanzarote and Fuerteventura remain at level three risk.
Strict new measures mean tourists, as well as residents, will no longer be permitted access to spas and saunas, and restrictions will also apply to beaches and pools. SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Vaccine passes will continue to be used for entry into venues like nightclubs, which must remain closed in some areas and only allow 25 per cent of entire capacity in locations where they are allowed to open.
Because of the continuing number of infections, regulations state that a maximum of six persons can meet together with Covid passes needed to enter bars.
In the Balearic Islands, where all resorts are at level three, restaurants can operate at 100 per cent capacity outdoors, with a maximum of two persons seated at the same table.
Regulations state: “Only seated eating is permitted / maximum two people in a group with a distance of 1.50 m between groups / closing time: 00.00 hours."
All visitors to the Balearic or Canary Islands must fill out a health control form before their trip. This requirement applies to all those over the age of 12. Arrivals must also hold a valid vaccine pass, negative test result, or recovery certificate.
On the other hand, stricter rules apply to other travellers. Persons who reach Spain from a third country must fill out the health control form and present a vaccination certificate along with a negative test result which must be taken before arrival.
Starting from February 1, Spain will only accept vaccination certificates that indicate that the holder has received their last dose within the previous 270 days.
This means that all persons regardless of their country of origin, who have received their last vaccine dose more than nine months ago will need to get a booster shot to be permitted entry to Spain.
Government spokesperson Iago Negueruela said the Covid passport scheme was an essential method of increasing levels of vaccination and controlling infections.
He said: "We once again call on those who have not been vaccinated to get vaccinated, as they are putting their health and that of the rest of the population at risk."
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