MADRID – As we now know, the whole of Spain is obliged to wear mouth masks when the one and a half meter social distance cannot be maintained in public places, both closed and open air. This new corona measure has been in force since 21 May and has been maintained even after the end of the state of emergency since 21 June. Recently, however, new corona outbreaks have been reported in various areas of Spain, which has led to the introduction of a mouthguard requirement in Catalonia, Extremadura and the Balearic Islands.
But many people who are on holiday or going to Spain have questions about this new mouthguard obligation. Therefore an explanation about the use of mouth masks in Spain. We don’t go into whether it is useful, what the science of it is and what the opinion of people is, but we do go into the use, the obligation, when and how and the fines.
It will be a mouthcap summer this summer where it is compulsory to wear a mouthcap from the airport in the Netherlands or Belgium, during the stay in Spain and then during the return journey in many places and at many times.
The use of a mouth shield is mandatory in Spain on public roads and in any enclosed space for public use or open to the public, when it is not possible to maintain the social distance of at
least 1.5 meters.
Fines
In those areas where mouthguards are compulsory and anywhere in Spain where the rules on wearing mouthguards are not complied with, fines of 100 euros can be imposed. Several fines have already been imposed in Catalonia since the mandatory wearing of mouth masks. These fines apply to everyone, residents of Spain and foreigners who are on holiday.
Who has to wear a mouth shield
Wearing mouth caps is mandatory for everyone, both residents of Spain and international (foreign) visitors (tourists). So if you come from the Netherlands or Belgium and you are or are going on holiday in/to Spain, you have to follow the local/local rules.
Tourists have to wear mouth caps just like the inhabitants of the country, without exception (except for the exceptions below). Tourists can be fined if they don’t wear a mask when they are obliged to
.
From what age
Wearing ‘mascarillas’ (also called cubrebocas) or in Dutch mouth caps, mouth masks or face masks (whatever you want to call it) is mandatory for everyone aged 6 years and older. Children from 3 to 5 years old are not obliged to wear a mouth mask but it is recommended.
Public transport, airplane and in the car
Wearing a mouth shield is compulsory in public transport such as the train, bus, taxi, tram and metro, in the plane within Spain and on the way to Spain or from Spain to the Netherlands/Belgium (most airlines already require a mouth shield), in the car if the occupants do not live in the same house and in all circumstances where several people are together and the 1.5 meter cannot be maintained.
Shops and supermarkets
Wearing a mouth cap is compulsory in many shops and supermarkets and is usually checked. If you don’t wear a mouth shield, sometimes you won’t enter the shop or supermarket. Furthermore, it is asked to disinfect the hands with the handle that according to the law must be made available to the customers. Sometimes you have to wear gloves but that is less and less requested.
In a bar or on the terrace
If you drink something at a table or at the bar, these tables and chairs must be at least 1.5 metres apart. That is why wearing a mouth guard when sitting or standing at the bar while maintaining the 1.5 meter distance is not mandatory. The same applies if you are sitting on a terrace.
But if you get up and walk to the bar, go to the toilet, walk to another table, walk to the buffet, etc., then you have to wear a mouth guard.
It is also advisable to wear a mouth shield if you are sitting at a table with people who do not live in the same house (a flexible arrangement such as people with whom you are on holiday).
On the beach
For the beach is in fact the same as for the swimming pool. On the beach you have to keep the 1.5 or 2 meters distance with other beachgoers. Hirers of sunbeds will already take this into account while there are also many municipalities that have people walking around who check the social distance and the use of mouth guards whether the beaches are divided into sections of 4×4 meters or larger.
If you go sunbathing or swimming in the sea then you don’t have to wear a mouth mask but if you walk between other beachgoers and the 1.5 meter distance is not feasible or if you go to the shower, toilet, changing room or to a bar then you do have to wear a mouth mask.
In the car
If you are alone or with family living in the same house or occupants belonging to your travelling party in a car, you generally do not have to wear a mouth shield. However, if you are with other people who do not belong to your travelling group or live in the same house in the car, you are obliged to wear mouth masks.
Make sure you always have a mouth shield with you because if you get out of the car to fill up, drink coffee, eat something etc. you will have to wear a mouth shield until you are sitting on a terrace or in a bar (with 1.5 meters distance).
On motorbike and bicycle
In general, the rule is that if you’re on a bike or on an electric scooter you have to wear a mouth guard. However, cycling is still often seen as a sport in Spain and wearing a mouth shield is not compulsory during sports. Make your own decision and look at the situation as it is: if there are many cyclists who do not keep a distance, it is wise to wear a mouth shield. Of course this also applies to the electric scooter, the mobility scooter and the wheelchair.
Exceptions
In general, everyone over the age of 6 must wear a mouth mask, compulsory when the 1.5 meter distance cannot be maintained and always compulsory as in Catalonia, Extremadura and on the Balearic Islands. But there are exceptions.
People who can’t tolerate a mouth mask for health reasons don’t have to wear it (but always have to take the 1,5 meter or more distance into account). People who have shortness of breath or suffer from asthma, allergies, anxiety, autism or dementia do not have to wear a mouth shield.
In emergency situations or in case of force majeure, wearing a mouth mask is not compulsory. It is also not compulsory to wear a mouth shield in those activities where their use is by its nature incompatible. This could include sports, swimming or if you want to eat or drink something on a terrace. In those circumstances (and there are more to come up with) wearing a mouth mask is therefore not mandatory.
Common sense
The coronavirus is not gone, it is still there and the risk of infection and possible new outbreaks is always present and is also a fact in many places in Spain. However, many people are too relaxed with the relaxations that have been in place since 21 June and foreigners are often subject to different rules in Spain than they are in e.g. The Netherlands or Belgium.
However, if you come to Spain for your holiday in this strange time, you have to take your own responsibility and use common sense by estimating certain situations and taking other people into account (even if you find it all ridiculous or exaggerated etc.).
If you come on holiday to Spain this summer or go to your second home then you will be a guest in Spain and will have to respect the rules and measures in force there.
If you don’t, you and other people run unnecessary risks that not only can be fined but also can be harmful to your health and even fatal. Spain still has a death toll of more than 28,000 corona deaths.
Source: SpanjeVandaag
