Spain holiday hotspots consider bringing back 'some sort' of Covid restrictions

13 January 2023 , 10:13

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Officials in Andalusia are looking at possible Covid restrictions (Image: Sunday Mirror)

Spanish holiday hotspots could be on the brink of bringing back Covid restrictions in the light of the threat of a new variant.

For two years holidays to Spain - the most visited country by Brits each year - were dominated by restrictions designed to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In October last year the last but one of those measures were removed, signalling a return to a version of pre-pandemic normality.

The only measure that currently remains is a requirement to wear a mask on public transport, inside airplanes and in health centres, including pharmacies.

Now it looks as if the country may adopt some stricter restrictions once more as the threat of a new strain increases.

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It is currently mandatory to wear masks on public transport and on planes in Spain (Getty Images)

The popular region of Andalusia - which contains Malaga, Seville and Granada - has become the first major location to hint that some sort of new regulations could be reintroduced, with president of the regional government Juanna Moreno asking for "maximum precautions."

Today the official admitted that he wouldn't rule out the "adoption of preventative measures", saying: "I prefer to be far-sighted."

Mallorca is already advising local people and visitors to wear masks inside, though health chiefs say this will continue to be a matter of choice, for the time being at least.

Mr Moreno expressed his concern about the millions of infections in China and the possibility that new strains could overcome vaccines.

He has confirmed that Andalusia's public health committee will meet on January 17 so that experts can give their opinions on the present situation and "shed light on how we can address some of the aspects which are worrying us."

"Prevention is better than cure and it is better to be two little steps in front rather than two little steps behind," he said.

"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."

With the World Health Organisation recommending the reuse of masks indoors, Minister of Health of the Balearic Government, Patricia Gómez, has urged visitors and tourists alike to be vigilant.

She said the use of the mask indoors was recommended, but in any case not mandatory or at least for now.

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"We all know that it is in closed spaces when the virus circulates actively," she said. "The mask is a preventive measure although at the moment there are no indications to return to a generalised mandatory use in interiors."

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Rita Sobot