With July officially here, and the summer holiday season at its peak, tourists travelling to Spain have been warned that certain covid restrictions may return.
Spanish Government officials have reported an increase in the number of positive cases of the virus. In response, face coverings may be made mandatory again in certain situations.
As reported by Chronicle Live, face masks in indoor spaces may be made compulsory in an effort to curb soaring infection rates. Officials from popular holiday destinations such as the Canary Islands and Costa del Sol have supported the move.
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Currently, face masks are only recommended for holidaymakers, though they are mandatory on public transport and in hospitals for everybody over six. This could soon be extended to all indoor settings.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias has advised people to start wearing face coverings again in indoor public settings. While the Spanish Government scrapped face mask rules in bars, shops, and restaurants, they have stated that bringing them back remains on the table.
The mayor of holiday hotspot Malaga took to Twitter to announce that he had contracted the virus after a "long work meeting". He stated: "After noticing a slight headache and congestion... this morning, I have just had an antigen test and it was positive."
The mayor continued: "It is necessary to return to masks indoors and always open windows. Let's not relax. If we do not stop the acceleration of infections in recent days, we are going to have a summer with many health problems that will affect the well-being and lives of many. And that can also affect economic activity in general. And if there are any left unvaccinated, don't hesitate!"
Canary Islands public health official Amós García Rojas stated that he would not rule out making face coverings compulsory indoors again in order to "protect the vulnerable". He added: "The pandemic is not gone. It is necessary to continue maintaining certain restrictions and care, perhaps in the obligation to wear a mask indoors if the situation does not improve."
Rojas continued by stating that if the situation continued to worsen, officials would "have to act accordingly". He also issued a warning regarding parties in Spanish holiday destinations this summer.
He added: "The massive parties that are taking place in Tenerife and Gran Canaria will lead to more infections. If the situation is not redirected, measures will have to be taken."
Holidaymakers need to be aware of covid rules before heading to Spain for a holiday. Currently, the country is still enforcing travel rules for people coming from the UK.
Travellers who are vaccinated will need to present proof that they have received their jabs. Unvaccinated tourists, meanwhile, will be required to present a negative test result, either through a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
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