Strict rules on the wearing of face masks in Spain are set to be lifted within days in welcome news for UK holidaymakers planning trips for the forthcoming half-term break.
The use of face coverings outdoors will cease to be mandatory during the next week, the minister of health Carolina Darias told local radio.
It is hoped a decree will go before ministers on Tuesday and regulations lifted by Thursday next week, she added.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez introduced compulsory mask-wearing outdoors on Christmas Eve, in an attempt to combat the rise in Omicron infections. But the decision was widely condemned by political rivals and some health experts.
Health minister Darias said rules forcing people to wear masks would be in place for a "minimum amount of time" and relaxed as soon as possible.
Any relaxation of the rules will be welcomed in Spain ahead of the expected influx of tourists for half-term, especially in resorts such as the Canary Islands, Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm.
Neighbouring Portugal has already eased rules for visitors with fully-vaccinated tourists no longer required to produce proof of a negative test to enter the country.
Travel expert Paul Charles, of The PC Agency, tweeted earlier this week: "Spain votes to keep mask-wearing in place for those outdoors. Watch travellers book instead to go to those countries with more progressive Covid policies."
This week, the Spanish government also stated unvaccinated tourists must produce a negative lateral flow test 24 hours before departing. Previously, they have had up to 48 hours to take a lateral flow test before travelling to Spain.
Fully-vaccinated travellers do not have to produce a negative test in order to enter the country. But a final dose of the vaccine will need to have been administered within 270 days (approximately nine months) of arrival. Otherwise, tourists must have evidence of a booster jab.
Currently, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers aren't allowed to enter Spain for tourism. This means that unvaccinated children and teenagers aged over 12 won't be able to visit for holidays, including half term.
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