Now that the borders have reopened and tourists are flocking back to its sunny shores, the Spanish government has been busy making up rules to maintain its excellent recovery rate from COVID-19.
Since Wednesday, July 15, face masks are mandatory at all times in the region of Andalucia. The Andalucian government has approved the new legislation which states that face masks are mandatory for all citizens and tourists indoors and outdoors, as a preventive measure to stop the coronavirus from spreading. This new rule applies even to beaches and swimming pools and puts the penalty for not complying at a fine of 100 euros.
There are limited exceptions to this new rule. They are as follows:
Beaches and Pools
People sunbathing or sitting on the beach, on their individual towel or underneath their parasol do not have to wear a mask, so long as they maintain a social distance of 1.5 metres. If in a group, they may socialise together but 1.5 metres must be left between one group and another, including when swimming. That said, people are not expected to wear a mask when in the water, swimming or practising a sport.
Sports
Anyone doing any kind of individual sport in the open air or any other activity where wearing a mask would be counterproductive, is also exempt from wearing a face mask. People practising a sport in groups do not have to wear the face mask but are obliged to maintain the social distancing preventive measure, hence 1,5 metres apart from one another.
Children & Adults with Health Conditions
Children under the age of six are also excluded from the obligation, as well as people with an illness or condition that could be aggravated by wearing a mask. People who also have any disability that prevents them from being able to remove a face mask without assistance are also exempt.
Restaurants and Terraces
In restaurants and on terraces, masks do not have to be worn when eating and drinking as well as when seated in these establishments. However, the personnel working and serving must at all times be wearing a face mask.
The Regional Health Minister, Jesús Aguirre, called for people to get into the habit of always wearing a mask at all times and has warned that the local police have been instructed to enforce this new law and will not hesitate to fine non-abiding citizens and visitors, €100 each if caught not wearing a mask.
