Date Published: 07/04/2021
ARCHIVED - Spanish regions meet on Wednesday to discuss controversial mask regulations
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Spain’s tourism sector is up in arms over the new law, which was written in a way that made masks compulsory at all times in public, even on the beach, sparking concerns that foreign tourists would go elsewhere instead.
The Interterritorial Health Council is meeting this afternoon (Wednesday 7 April) to try and find a solution to the controversial new law regarding the use of masks at all times in public, including on the beach.
There were widespread complaints, especially from the tourism sector, when the law came into force last week and the health authorities realized that by insisting face masks are worn at all times in public spaces it effectively meant that they would even be required on the beach and in the sea or public swimming pools.
Previous regulations had stated that masks had to be worn in public whenever social distancing couldn’t be maintained, and while most Spanish regions had tightened the measure in their region-specific rules to make them compulsory regardless of distancing, they had included clauses to allow beachgoers to take their masks off while sunbathing or in the water.
Now, the Health Ministry believes there is a loophole for a flexible interpretation of the new law, and will be suggesting that masks must be used while accessing or wandering about on beaches but not while in the water, sunbathing or resting in the shade as long as members of the public can stay at least 1.5 metres away from anyone outside of their imediate domestic bubble.
Masks will also be able to stay off during water sports or while swimming in public pools, and while resting as long as the wearer doesn’t move from a particular spot or come within 1.5 metres of other members of the public.
The draft regulation states that masks can be removed to eat or drink in areas where this is authorized but must be kept on while travelling to beaches, rivers or swimming pools and during walks on the beach as well as in changing rooms, except while showering, and in beach bars, while not actually eating or drinking as is the case for all other bars and restaurants.
The new regulations will be the "norm" once Spain leaves the state of alarm, which the Prime Mimister confirmed yesterday will be on 9th May as he has no intention of extending the emergency measures, which effectively means that the wearing of masks in public places will be law for the forseeable future.