Spain holiday boost as final Covid rules scrapped from next week

SPAIN is set to scrap its final Covid restrictions next week, in what will be a boost for Brits heading to the country this summer.

Later this month, one of the country’s last remaining restrictions will be a thing of the past.

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Spain is one of the final countries in Europe to still require people to wear masks on public transport, but that is set to change.

According to EU Reporter, the country’s Health Minister, Carolina Darias, plans to scrap mask-wearing on buses, trains and other forms of transportation.

She said: “I will bring the proposal to abolish the obligation to wear masks on public transport to the cabinet meeting to take place on 7 February.”

Mask wearing on public transport became obligatory in May 2020.

But while face masks are set to be scrapped on public transport countrywide, some holiday hotspots could bring Covid restrictions back after a rise in cases in the country.

Andalusia, a popular region with British holidaymakers, has become the first major location in Spain to hint about the return of tougher regulations.

President of the regional government, Juanma Moreno, has asked for “maximum precautions” and wouldn’t rule out the “adoption of preventative measures.”

He said: “Prevention is better than cure and it is better to be two little steps in front rather than two little steps behind.

“I prefer to err on the side of foresight and that we go ahead with decisions in case we had some sort of incident that we hope and trust won’t occur.”

There are other Covid measures still in place in Spain for certain travellers too.

Those arriving at Spanish airports from China are now being screened for Covid.

All arrivals will also need to have a negative Covid test or proof of vaccination.

The measure will remain in place until at least February 15, Spain’s health ministry said in a statement, with travellers arriving from China required to undergo a temperature check and a Covid-19 test.

“A major concern lies in the possibility of new variants appearing in China that have not been controlled,” Ms Darias said at the time.

“Given the health situation in that country, we know the importance of acting with coordination, but also the importance of acting quickly.”

Passengers arriving in the UK from China must also have a negative Covid test before travelling from tomorrow.

The Government said that airlines will be required to check that passengers from China have a negative test before departure and travellers must show their proof.

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