Spain set to relax Covid face mask rules just in time for Brits’ half-term holidays

Spain is set to axe Covid face mask rules outdoors from next week including on beaches and around swimming pools just in time for half term holidays

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Travel rules for going to Spain? Everything you need to know

Brits heading on Spain holidays will be able to sigh with relief from next week as Spain looks to end its rule which made the wearing of masks outdoors, including on beaches and around swimming pools, compulsory.

According to the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, during an interview on Spanish radio Cadena Ser today, the coronavirus safety measure will be dropped as early as February 10th.

“The idea is that it will be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Wednesday and can be effective as of Thursday,” said the head of the Health portfolio who confirmed the issue will be addressed on Monday in the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System.

Everyone in Spain was told to start wearing their masks again outside on Christmas Eve as the sixth wave of coronavirus exploded in Spain and its holiday hotspots.

Sign up to the Mirror’s travel newsletter for more holiday tips.

The rule became mandatory in open spaces throughout the country, a decision which proved highly unpopular with the public and experts who said the true focus of contagion occurs in closed spaces, social or family contagions, where protection measures are relaxed in terms of distancing.

“I confirm that next Tuesday we will take the Royal Decree to the Council of Ministers by virtue of which we will eliminate the mandatory use of masks abroad.,” said Carolina Darias.

The minister had already announced during a visit to Mallorca last week that the mandatory nature of the mask would not extend more than the “minimum essential time” and that she was in favour of the measure being relaxed “as soon as possible.”

Spain has been one of the few European countries to maintain the use of facial protection in open spaces to deal with COVID-19.

Yesterday’s figures show the incidence in Spain dropped another 144 points, to 2,420 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Carolina Darias said the indicators “are improving” and “especially” the one that speaks of the level of circulation of the virus.

Masks will still have to be worn inside public places such as bars and restaurants with different Covid rules still in force throughout Spain but varying in degree from region to region.

Spain recently changed its entry rules for Brits this month as part of new EU-wide rules, which have also seen France follow suit.

The existing rule that requires UK travellers to be fully vaccinated to visit Spain still stands, but there are changes that depend on when you received your vaccination.

That’s because under new EU-wide rules, your final dose will need to have been administered within 270 days (approximately nine months) of your arrival at your destination.

If you were vaccinated outside of this window – aka earlier than 270 days – then you will be required to show proof that you have received a booster jab.

This means that those who completed their Covid vaccination course before May 1 will be affected.

It’s also worth noting that currently unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers aren’t allowed to enter Spain for tourism. According to the UK Foreign Office, the country is also not accepting UK records with proof of Covid recovery for non-essential travel.

This means that unvaccinated children and teenagers aged over 12 won’t be able to visit for holidays, including half term. (This rule has been in place since December).

You can find out more in the Foreign Office’s latest Spain travel advice.

What do you think of Spain’s entry rules? Let us know in the comments below.