Face masks now obligatory at all times across Spain

Tuesday 30th March 2021 | MIKE SMITH

The wearing of face masks in public spaces has been made law across the whole of Spain after the Government issued the directive in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Tuesday. Although this is already mandatory in the Comunidad Valenciana and other autonomous communities, the new law now bounds the whole country to the same regulations, which means that regional governments can no longer make any changes.

The specific text for Article 6 of Chapter II – Measures of Preventation and Hygiene – reads as follows:

Article 6. Mandatory Use of Facemasks

1. All those aged six years and above must wear face masks in the following situations:
   
   a) On the public highway, in outdoor spaces and in any closed space for public use or open to the public;
   
   b) On any air, sea, or rail transport, as well as in public or private complementary passenger transport in vehicles up to nine seats, including the driver, if the occupants do not live at the same address. In the case of passengers on ships and boats, it will not be necessary to use masks when they are inside their cabin.
   
2. The obligation presented in the previous section will not apply to people who present some type of illness or breathing difficulty which may be aggravated by the use of the mask, or those who, due to the situation of disability or dependency, do not have the autonomy to remove the mask, or have behavioural conditions that make its use unfeasible.
   
   Neither will a mask be required for individual outdoor sport , no in case of force majeure or situation of necessity or when, due to the very nature of the activity, the use of a mask is incompatible, in accordance with directions given by the health authorities.
   
3. The unit sale of surgical masks that are not individually packaged can only be carried out in pharmacies, guaranteeing adequate hygiene conditions that safeguard the quality of the product.

In short, this directive, which supersedes the decree issued last June, now makes it law across Spain to wear a face mask at all times, including at the beach or the local swimming pool, even if social distancing can be guaranteed. It will remain in place until the Government declares an end to the COVID-19 health crisis in Spain, a decision that will be based on “reasoning and scientific evidence“. Those who don’t comply with the obligation can be fined up to 100 euros.

The new law, which runs to 29 pages, also amends and regulates other pandemic-related issues. Click on the link below for the full PDF copy.

Information Source
BOE Núm 76 – 4908 Ley 2/2021 de 29 de marzo