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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sophie Law

Spain Covid rules from masks to curfews as Scots tourists allowed in without test

Spain has opened its borders to UK holidaymakers without having to show evidence of a negative test.

Sun-seekers heading to the destination - which is currently on Scotland's amber list - will have to follow a stringent list of rules during their stay.

Thousands are expected to head to Spain despite the country not being on the government's green list, meaning travellers will have to isolate on their return, The Mirror reports.

The Spanish Government changed to its policy on international travellers, allowing Scots to enter the country as of Monday, May 24.

However, Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to 'stay home' and not book holidays abroad after news emerged Spain would lift restrictions.

The First Minister said that while there was a traffic light system of safe countries to travel to no one should go abroad unless they really had to.

Since the national state of emergency declared by the Spanish government ended on May 9, restrictions across the autonomous regions vary slightly.

Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to 'stay home' and not book holidays abroad (Getty Images)

Masks

As things currently stand, face masks must be worn in all public spaces both indoor and outdoor.

The only exception are people doing sports and children under the age of six.

That means that even those sunning themselves on the beach have to cover their mouth and nose, leading to potentially dodgy tan lines.

However, the rules are not widely enforced or followed by locals.

The health department said earlier this week that masks would soon cease to be mandatory outdoors.

Curfews

Spain has just come out of a six month state of emergency in which strict 11/12pm to 6am curfews were in place.

When they were finally lifted, large crowds hit the streets to soak up the cool night air in celebration.

Now there are no restrictions on when people are allowed to leave the house except in the Navarra and the Valencia region, where it may remain in force into next month.

Bars and restaurants

The rules on dining vary quite significantly depending on the region.

Bars and restaurants are open indoors and out until 11pm or 1am in all regions but the Balearic islands, where only al-fresco dining and drinking is allowed.

Some areas, such as Madrid and Andalucía, have no restrictions on how many people can meet together to eat and drink.

In the Canary Islands the limit is 15, in Valencia 10 and in Catalonia and the Balearics six.

Brits heading back to a favourite drinking hole or eatery would be advised to check whether it is still there.

Coronavirus has had a huge impact on tourist regions in Spain, with as many as 40 per cent of restaurants having gone out of business in Barcelona.

Different regions have different restrictions on indoor capacity, meaning some may lose out in the rush to get a table at more popular spots.

Social distancing

Spanish social distancing rules are slightly different from those in the UK.

People are advised to keep 1.5 metres away from others while in public and encouraged to follow similar hygiene regimes as in the UK.

This means regular and thorough handwashing.

Return to the UK

Once all the fun is over and travellers are making their way back from Spain to Scotland, you must enter a period of self isolation.

Travellers returning from all amber countries must take a Covid-19 test before their arrival and are required to quarantine for 10 days on their return.

They then must take a test on or before days two and eight.

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