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COVID-19

Spain’s Valencia region to require Covid health pass for daily affairs from Friday

A Valencian court on Monday approved the requirement of the Covid health pass for people to gain access to the inside of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hospitals and care homes in the region that’s home to the Costa Blanca.

The Valencian Community joins a number of other regions in Spain which have been allowed to implement the Covid health pass recently.
The Valencian Community joins a number of other regions in Spain which have been allowed to implement the Covid health pass recently. Photo: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN

The High Court of the Valencia region on Monday approved the use of the Covid health certificate or pass for the hospitality industry, nightlife venues, large events, hospitals and care homes. 

The ruling gives the Valencian government the authority to implement and maintain this Covid restriction, as without the country’s state of alarm in place regional authorities can see such measures revoked by judges. 

From Friday December 3rd, people in cities and towns such as Valencia, Alicante and Benidorm who visit a bar, restaurant, café or nightclub which can cater to more than 50 customers will have to show a Covid-19 health pass reflecting their vaccination, testing or recovery status if they want to enter inside. 

People who want to enter a hospital or care home will also have to show their Covid certificate either on paper or in digital format on their mobile phones.

Large events where people will have to show their Covid health pass including celebrations such as weddings or first communions as well as music festivals, indoors and outdoors.

It won’t be required in outdoor terraces, cinemas or theatres.

The measure is expected to remain in place throughout the month of December and the Christmas period.

The Covid-19 health pass or passport, which during the summer period was rejected for breaching fundamental rights, has recently started to be accepted by local judges who consider its implementation is more suitable than other Covid restrictions that affect a now largely vaccinated population.

MAP: Which regions now require a Covid-19 health pass for daily affairs?

Valencia’s High Court ruled that at this stage of the pandemic the use of the Covid Digital Certificate was “balanced”, “would hardly impact economic activity”  and be “more beneficial to the general public and the control over the virus”.

The announcement comes just days after Spanish authorities announced they would no longer allow unvaccinated British tourists to visit the Costa Blanca and Spain in a move to prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant.

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Member comments

  1. How can I get a covid pass for use in C Valencia? Will the NHS pass be acceptable for cafes and bars, as it is for travel? Thanks

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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.

'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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