Spain to Lift Face Mask Requirement on April 20
Face masks will cease to be mandatory indoor in most places in Spain on April 20, but the new rule will have some exceptions.
The government has been very clear on the fact that masks will absolutely remain mandatory on all public transport, in hospital,health centres and pharmacies.
Bars and Restaurants
When the Royal Decree scrapping masks is published in Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE) on April 19, it will specify that face coverings are no longer required in the indoor spaces of bars, restaurants and cafés.
Supermarket and shops
It will not be necessary to wear a facemask in any commercial establishment, regardless of its size. Likewise, people acrosss Spain will be able to visit cinemas, theatres and concerts without masks.
The gym
From Wednesday, however, it is expected that masks will no longer be mandatory in gyms.
At the office
The decision on whether employees will be required to wear masks will be left up to the company’s occupational risk prevention services. Therefore, individual businesses will decide if their staff will have to wear masks and employees must abide by this decision.
Taxis and public transport
Masks will continue to be mandatory on all forms of public transport such as buses,trains and planes. The law will also apply to taxis, even if there is only one passenger.
Dentist and doctors
The term health centre has been one of the most confusing in the legislative change, buts it is understood that dentists,physiotherapy,psychology centres and the like will all fall into this category and so masks will be required.
Currently, Spain requires all incoming travellers to present valid COVID-19 proof. According to the Ministry of Health, travellers from the European Union/European Economic Area are permitted restriction-free entry only if they hold a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
A vaccination certificate is considered valid when reaching Spain if the document proves that its holder has completed vaccination in the last nine months or has received an additional vaccine dose. On the other hand, recovery passes are only recognised if they indicate that the holder recovered from the virus in the last six months.
As for the negative COVID-19 tests, the authorities have explained that they accept both rapid antigen and PCR tests. This means that EU/EEA travellers can enter Spain even if they have not been vaccinated/recovered from the virus as long as they hold a test taken before arrival.
Spain continues to apply stricter rules for non-EU travellers. Travellers from third countries are permitted restriction-free entry to Spain only if they hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate.