Masks In Spanish Airports: What's The Current Protocol?

As of May 2022, face masks are mandatory on flights to and from Spain and in Spanish airports. This is despite the European Union dropping its recommendation for mandatory mask-wearing in airports and on flights within the EU. Spain's health minister, Carolina Darias, has said that passengers should continue wearing face masks on board flights to and from Spain, in line with the country's face mask rules for public transport. It is important to note that rules regarding mask-wearing in Spain may change, so it is advisable to check for updates before travelling.

Face masks are mandatory on flights to and from Spain

As of May 2022, face masks are mandatory on flights to and from Spain, despite the European Union dropping its mask mandate for flights and airports within the EU. This means that if you are travelling to or from Spain, it is important to check your airline's policy before travelling, as some airlines may have dropped their mask mandates.

Spain's Health Minister, Carolina Darias, has stated that masks will be mandatory on flights and in airports as part of anti-COVID measures. This is in contrast to the recommendation from the European Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, who have suggested that wearing masks in airport settings is no longer required.

In Spain, face masks are no longer mandatory in most areas. However, they are still required on public transport, including flights and in airport terminals. This is in line with the country's current face mask rules, which state that anyone aged six or over must wear a face covering on public transport.

It is important to note that local COVID rules and travel restrictions can change quickly, so it is always a good idea to check the latest updates before travelling. Additionally, while masks may not be mandatory in all situations, it is still recommended to wear one as a precautionary measure, especially for those who are coughing or sneezing.

Masks are not required in airport terminals

As of May 2022, masks are no longer required in Spanish airport terminals. This is in line with the Spanish government's decision in April 2022 to end the obligatory use of face masks in indoor areas, including airport terminals. However, it is important to note that masks are still mandatory on public transport in Spain, including on flights to and from the country.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced in May 2022 that they would no longer recommend the mandatory wearing of medical masks in airports and on board flights within the EU. This decision was made in light of the progress made in vaccination and immunity across Europe. While this recommendation is not binding, and countries with mask mandates in place can choose to keep them, Spain has decided to follow the EU's lead in ending the requirement for masks in airport terminals.

It is worth noting that the Spanish Health Minister, Carolina Darias, initially stated that masks would still be required on flights to and from Spain, even after the EU's announcement. However, as of April 2022, masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor spaces in Spain. The country has been gradually easing its face mask rules, and this change brought an end to the mandatory use of face masks in indoor areas, with the exception of public transport.

While masks are no longer required in Spanish airport terminals, it is still important for travellers to remain cautious and informed about the latest health and safety measures in place. Local COVID rules and travel restrictions can change quickly, so it is always advisable to check the latest updates before travelling. Additionally, individual airlines may have their own policies regarding mask-wearing, so it is important to review their guidelines as well.

In summary, while masks are not required in Spanish airport terminals, they are still mandatory on public transport, including on flights to and from Spain. Travellers should stay informed about the latest regulations and be respectful of the choices of those around them.

The EU dropped its mask mandate on May 16, 2022

On May 16, 2022, the EU dropped its mask mandate, which meant that masks were no longer required on intra-European flights. This decision was made by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The EASA executive director, Patrick Ky, stated that:

> "From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport."

Despite the EU's decision, individual countries and airlines could continue to enforce mask-wearing. For example, Germany wanted to keep the policy until September 2022. Passengers were still encouraged to observe social distancing at the airport, but operators were advised to adopt a "pragmatic approach" to avoid bottlenecks.

In Spain, the government initially indicated that masks would no longer be required on flights, but later clarified that masks would still be mandatory inside aircraft, but not in airport terminals. This decision was in line with the country's earlier move to end the obligatory use of face masks in indoor areas, including passenger terminals. However, the health minister hinted that other measures, such as face mask requirements on public transport, could also be eased in the future.

Spain's indoor mask mandate ended on April 20, 2022

On April 20, 2022, Spain's indoor mask mandate came to an end, with some exceptions. This decision marked a significant shift towards returning to pre-pandemic normality in the country. While the outdoor face mask mandate had ended in the summer of 2021, indoor settings still required masks until April 20, 2022.

The new regulation, approved by the Council of Ministers, eliminated the requirement to wear masks in most indoor spaces, including schools, shopping centres, cinemas, theatres, museums, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and gyms. However, there were specific exceptions to this rule. Facemasks were still mandatory in certain places, such as public transport, health centres, social-health centres, care homes, hospitals, and pharmacies. Additionally, the Spanish government recommended wearing masks at cultural or sporting events with large crowds.

The decision to end the indoor mask mandate was influenced by the success of the country's vaccination campaign and the desire to transition to a new stage in the fight against COVID-19. Spain's Health Ministry acknowledged that the continued use of facemasks was still advisable for vulnerable individuals, including teachers, and that employers could decide whether to enforce mask-wearing in workplaces.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) had previously updated their health safety measures for air travel, dropping the mandatory wearing of masks in airports and on flights. However, they emphasised that masks were still one of the best protections against COVID-19 transmission and left the final decision to individual airlines and countries. As a result, Spain initially maintained the requirement to wear masks in airports and on flights, despite the EASA and ECDC's recommendations.

Other COVID-related travel restrictions to Spain

As of May 2022, masks were still mandatory on flights and in airports in Spain. This is despite the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) dropping their recommendation for mandatory mask-wearing in airports and on flights.

Regarding other COVID-related travel restrictions to Spain, as of January 2022, regional authorities were responsible for setting localized restrictions, although they had to petition local courts for authority to impose curfews, travel controls, and COVID-pass requirements. Most businesses and services were permitted to operate but had to adhere to social distancing or capacity requirements, and gatherings were limited. Nightlife venues had to close at a certain hour, and some regions had implemented COVID-pass rules for certain facilities.

In terms of international entry restrictions, non-essential travel to Spain was only permitted for travellers from specific countries, including EU/EEA-associated states, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, the UAE, and Uruguay. All arrivals had to complete a Health Control Form before entering the country.

EU citizens arriving from "risk countries" had to present a certificate of vaccination, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the previous 11-180 days, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. This could be in the form of an EU Digital COVID certificate.

However, as of October 2022, Spain dropped all COVID-19-related entry rules, no longer requiring travellers from outside the EU to show proof of vaccination, a negative test, or proof of recovery to enter the country.

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