Finally back to Spain

Yay, have finally booked a trip to Spain after over 2 long years. This will be our first visit since the B word and also since covid shut the world down. We have just returned from Madeira as they didn't have the restrictions that were in place in Spain at the time of booking. We are now travelling mid May, into Almeria for a well deserved week break. As of this week, all covid restrictions to the UK are being removed, no more pesky locator form to complete . I am wondering what restrictions are still in place in Spain, so I can keep an eye on what happens to them over the next month prior to visitng. Also, as well as using the "any other passport" lane at the airport, is there anything else we need to be aware of at the border, Madeira was straight forward but I have heard Spain is a bit more involved? (please don't turn this into a B slating thread, constructive comments only please).

Sun, sangria and tapas, here we come again 

Mark

I'm sure you'll be happy to come back.

Restrictions are very low here now. Facemasks are required indoors, on public transport, in medical facilities and recommended in crowded places such as markets etc. Also for entering restaurants but can be removed once seated.

You will need a vaccination certificate. This needs to show your vaccination status that you had both vaccines (1 of Janssen) more than 14 days ago but no more than 270 days (9 months) ago. If it is longer than 9 months then you need to show the booster vaccine but there is no time limit on that one.

You will also need the medical check, commonly called the Passenger Locator Form, to enter.

These restrictions are being looked at and will probably be scrapped after Easter once they see how the virus is progressing. As a heads up, cases in Spain were around 1,500 per 100,000 just a few weeks ago but have dropped to around 400 per 100,000 now. Some regions, like Valencia and Andalusia, even lower at just over 300. The facemask rule will be dropped once it gets to 50 per 100,000.

No covid passports required to enter establishments except for residential homes. 

To be honest, the facemask bit is no problem as you aren't really in shops or supermarkets for that length of time. Lots of people still wear them outdoors in towns although it's no longer law, just a recommendation. Seems a bit surreal to go into a pub and have to have the mask on when ordering in the bar or going to the loo when everyone else inside at tables aren't wearing them. Still, no real problem. The social distance of 1.5m is still in place but doesn't seem to be being adhered to. Even seen people back to the hugging and kissing as a greeting again.

Not been at airports myself but people are saying it's virtually back to normal and very quick. Just the bit about having your passport and paperwork check causing holdups but it seems to be fairly quick. Getting through security on the way out seems to be the only delay and can take quite some time, especially as people are trying to find their paperwork on the mobile phones. Couple across the road from us said they opened two lines, one for people with the paperwork printed out and going through quickly and the other for those with the paperwork on their phones trying to find it. 

Enjoy, Storm Celia has hit us here on the Costa Blanca at the moment and the skies are bright orange and red with all the Saharan dust and fairly high winds. Not expected to rain a lot until Thursday when I suppose it will change to red mud and have to get the pressure washer out again. Temperatures are not affected, though, and it's quite warm in the daytime and doesn't get really cold at nights (although a coat will be required once the sun goes down). 

All the above will have disappeared when you come over in May and the sun will shine on the righteous and non-righteous just the same.

Thanks mariedav, exactly what I was looking for 

Our keyholder has sent us some pictures of the sky around Vera/ Mojaca, very orange and weird to look at!!

Mark

@mariadev.  You should re-read your response.

"Restrictions are very low here"?    

HA HA HA

Then you go and reel off a list of all the restrictions that apply:

1. Facemasks (indoors, public transport, medical facilities, crowded places, entering restaurants, going for a wee, etc.
2. Vaccination certificates
3. Passenger Locator Form

Turns out the restricitons aren't being lifted for Easter, in fact extended to the end of April.

The issue is that unless people push back, this 'pandemic' will be never ending for Spain and especially Andalucia and it's spineless government and the people:

"To be honest, the facemask bit is no problem....."

That's the issue right there, a subservient population.The longer it goes on the more 'normal' it appears.  The more willing you are to being controlled.  It's NOT normal to be muzzled up and especially when it makes no difference whatsoever to controlling what is now a common cold/mild flu like disease.  You've had over two years of this now (see my other post).  Has it worked?

My advice to anybody considering a holiday (or buying a holiday home like I did), would be to AVOID Spain like the plague.  Almost anywhere else in Europe would be a better choice.  Countries that have educated people calling the shots.

check in at the desk whether you have baggage or not. If anything's amiss you may have time to sort it. If you wait until the gate to check in, it may be too late to change it.