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COVID-19

MAP: Which regions in Spain still require a Covid pass for daily affairs?

As Covid cases continue to decline, all of Spain's regions have now scrapped the use of the Covid pass in most venues. However, they are still required by some regions to access hospitals and care homes. Read on to find out where.

Published: 26 November 2021 14:07 CET
Updated: 2 March 2022 09:35 CET
Covid certificate
A woman scans a QR code for the Covid pass. Photo: Bertha WANG / AFP

All regions, except Madrid, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura introduced the Covid pass in some form or another, however over the last two months, all other regions have decided to get rid of them. 

They are now only required in some regions to access hospitals and care homes. 

Here is a map and information which details what the Covid health pass rules are in each of Spain’s 17 regions. 

Andalusia: As of February 15th, the Covid pass is no longer required in Andalusia. 

Aragón: The Covid pass is only required to access hospitals and care homes. In all other situations, it is not mandatory. 

Asturias: A Covid pass is no longer required in Asturias to access any venue. The government of the northern region decided to get rid of them from January 28th onwards. 

Balearics: The government of the Balearics ditched the use of the Covid pass on February 12th. 

Basque Country: The Basque Country has eliminated the use of the Covid pass on February 4th. It is currently not required for any activities. 

Canary Islands: The Covid pass has been used on a voluntary basis in the Canaries, however the courts rejected an appeal from the government to extend this further. 

Cantabria: Covid passes ceased to be required in Cantabria from January 19th, after the government deemed them ineffective. 

READ ALSO: Spain’s Cantabria scraps Covid health pass for being ‘ineffective’

Castilla-La Mancha: The regional government has not implemented the requirement of the Covid certificate for daily affairs for any establishment in the region.

Castilla y León: Covid passes are not mandatory in any establishment in Castilla y León. 

Catalonia: The Catalan government scrapped the obligatory use of Covid passports to enter bars, restaurants, cultural venues, and all other establishments on January 27th. 

Valencia region: The Valencian authorities announced that the Covid pass would no longer be necessary for most activities from March 1st onwards. The only places where you still have to show one are in care homes and social centres for the elderly. 

Extremadura: The pass is not required in Extremadura. 

Galicia: The use of the health pass is no longer required in Galicia and ceased to be in effect from February 26th. However, it is still mandatory to access hospitals and care homes. 

La Rioja: The government of La Rioja scrapped the use of the Covid passes on February 15th. They are now only required to access hospitals and care homes. 

Madrid: The regional government has decided not to implement the use of the health pass. 

Murcia: The health pass had been used in Murcia on a voluntary basis for a while, but they were scrapped for all venues from February 16th.

Navarre: As of February 15th, the health pass is not required anywhere. 

Member comments

  1. Let’s help the governments in their work as they try to help us.
    Let’s keep each other safe.
    Don’t drink too much.
    Stay awake and aware.
    It’s going to some discipline from us all

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HEALTH

‘Tripledemic’ in Spain: Which regions have made masks mandatory in hospitals?

With Covid, flu and bronchitis cases overwhelming hospital staff, Spain's health ministry is considering bringing back compulsory mask usage in medical facilities. However, some regions have already decided to make them mandatory.

Published: 8 January 2024 17:24 CET
'Tripledemic' in Spain: Which regions have made masks mandatory in hospitals?

It’s all felt a bit déjà vu in Spain in recent days. Respiratory infections on the up, worries about hospitals being overwhelmed, regional governments clashing with central government about the best way to approach things, and, of course, the return of face masks.

The Health Ministry, headed by Mónica García, called an extraordinary meeting of Spain’s Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) in order to “unify the criteria” against the surge in respiratory illnesses over the winter, namely the ‘tripledemic’ threat of influenza, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis as it’s been dubbed in the Spanish and international press.

Although Spain’s Ministry of Health and regional governments failed to come to a nationwide agreement with regards to the mandatory use of masks in hospitals, health centres and pharmacies throughout the country, some regions have already made mascarillas mandatory.

Self-assessed health leave

The government is also considering the possibility of allowing three-day leave for people who have a mild illness that doesn’t require medical attention in order to ease pressure on the health system.

“We are studying self-justifying mild illnesses during the first three days,” García said in an interview with Onda Cero, indicating that this self-assessment process, referred to as ‘autobaja‘ in Spanish, would be for people that “do not need to go to the doctor.”

But what about masks? With no agreement between the government and regions yet, where do you need to wear one?

Mandatory masks

Valencia

The Valencian Ministry of Health has made masks mandatory in all health centres for symptomatic people when they are in shared spaces, including waiting rooms and consultations.

Catalonia

Masks are also mandatory in all health centres in Catalonia, though, as of Monday afternoon, it has not yet been confirmed if pharmacies are included.

Murcia

Murcia too has made face masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres and recommended their use in “in any space, when there are symptoms of respiratory disease.”

Health authorities in the southern region have been offering free masks since December 30th in hospitals.

Canary Islands

The mask mandate will enter into force tomorrow, Tuesday 9th, although like in Murcia their use has been recommended since December.

Aragón

In Aragón, masks are mandatory for all healthcare workers and personnel who work in health centres and hospitals, including social health centres. The mandate has also been extended to patients, but only those in waiting rooms.

Asturias

Face masks will be mandatory in Asturias from Tuesday 9th, in both hospitals and pharmacies.

Non-mandatory but recommended

The rest of the Spanish regions have yet to make masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres, but recommend their use, including:

Balearic Islands

The Balearic Government does however recommend using a mask if you have symptoms, as well as frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when sneezing.

Castilla and León

The Ministry of Health in Castilla y León has recommended masks for people who suspect that they may be ill or have a respiratory infection.

Basque Country

The Basque Department of Health also recommends masks for people with symptoms of respiratory illness, but has not made them obligatory.

Andalusia

The Andalusian Health Service (SAS) recommends masks for people with symptoms, previous health problems, when with vulnerable people or at hospitals or health centres, but has so far ruled out making them mandatory.

Madrid

The Madrid regional government has taken the most nakedly political approach and accused the Ministry of Health of a “lack of planning” and ruled out mask mandates.

Castilla-La Mancha

In Castilla La Mancha, mask use is recommended but not obligatory.

Cantabria

Similarly, in Cantabria masks are not mandatory but recommended.

Navarra

Navarra’s Ministry of Health claims that mask mandates in hospitals and health centres would require “a regulatory adjustment” that would have to be analysed “in depth.”

Masks are therefore recommended but not mandatory for now.

Galicia

In Galicia, masks are recommended in hospitals and other health centres but not mandatory.

La Rioja

Maks in hospitals are only recommended, not obligatory.

Extremadura 

Masks are recommended but not mandatory.

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