COVID-19

SPAIN’S autonomous regions are calling on central government to take more action to avoid chaos in the courts after the coronavirus emergency officially ends on Sunday. The 17 regional authorities are worried their use of health restrictions designed to continue to control the spread of covid-19 could face a string of legal challenges. Over the last six months Madrid’s state of alarm legislation has allowed them to introduce restrictions that […]

SPAIN’S health minister Carolina Darias has blown the whistle on plans to allow spectators to return to watch top-flight football this season. The politician said it would not be advisable for fans to return to La Liga games because of the continued threat of Covid-19 – a blow for the league’s plans to play games in front of a crowd. Organising body La Liga was hoping to welcome back limited […]

SPAIN’S public health chiefs will decide today the way forward with the controversial Oxford-AstraZeneca for people aged under 60 who were given a first dose. The European Medicines Agency allows individual countries in the European Union to make their own decisions about the jab after a possible link of “very rare” cases of blood clots to the vaccine – but ruling benefits of the shot outweighed any danger of a […]

SPAIN’S health chiefs have ruled buffets and self-service meals can open again with strict hygiene rules. In another step forward in the return to normality, a resolution restores the service for consumption inside or outside premises and takes in banqueting halls, restaurants, coffee bars, and lounges at ports and airports. Strict hygiene rules will mean diners will follow a marked one-way system and sit at designated tables. Social distancing must […]

PEOPLE living in Andalusia can travel across the region from today after four months of the eight provinces being shut in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19. The regional border remains closed to inbound and outbound traffic except for essential travel and an 11pm to 6am curfew remains in place until the end of Spain’s state of alarm on May 9. The regional authority decided to ease restrictions […]

SPAIN is preparing to welcome overseas visitors this June as plans for an EU-wide digital ‘passport’ are finalised. Tourism minister Fernando Valdés said a pilot scheme would take place next month to allow the country to be ready to receive tourists – essential to the economy – in June. And he told a travel conference how Spain would be “ready in June to tell all travellers worldwide that you can […]

Drinkers need time to get home THE hard-pressed hospitality sector is asking for an extension so customers can make it home without having to rush their drinks. Bars, cafes, and restaurants were allowed to remain open until 10pm for the first time today under as the Valencia government eased Covid-19 rules. However, because the region’s curfew starts at 10pm, industry representatives are asking Valencia president Ximo Puig to grant a […]

SPAIN’S Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto believes normal travel will restart this summer – at least within the country – allowing people to plan a getaway. She expects more people to be travelling during the all-important high season than last year when holidays were hit by the covid-19 pandemic. “Spaniards can start planning their vacations.” The politician said the optimism was based on forecasts of business leaders and tourist companies. “Realistically […]

SPANISH police have arrested a 40-year-old man who told “alarmed” colleagues he would infect them with Covid-19. The suspect faces an assault charge after infecting 22 people on the island of Majorca – it is alleged he continued to go to work and workout in a gym despite testing positive for coronavirus. Police said despite the positive PCR test, a cough and a raging temperature of 40C (104F) the man […]