The arrival and pace of vaccination encourages us to be optimistic for the summer as many Spaniards want to travel to enjoy their vacations . That is if, despite the end of the state of alarm and the reduction of some of the measures implemented due to the circumstances of the pandemic, the Covid is still with us and they remainrestrictions or demands that affect habitual tourist destinationsboth inside and outside our borders.
More than 40% of Spaniards plan to travel , either within or outside of Spain, in numbers that have increased for the summer season in 2021 according to this report from the Spanish Federation of Large Families. A forecast that can be increased with the arrival of the covid passport.
What obligations will we have when traveling by car or other means of transport
Will I be able to go to Portugal on vacation by car
We tell you about the requirements that must be met.
When should I wear the mask in the car
According to Law 2/2021, of March 29, and which modifies some aspects of Royal Decree-Law 21/2020, of June 9, on prevention measures due to the pandemic, theThe use of the mask in the car is mandatory as long as any of the occupants are not cohabiting (with the exception of those under six years of age).
That is to say that it is NOT required to wear the mask if:
– You travel alone in the car.
– All the occupants belong to the same bubble of coexistence: couples, families, friends who live in the same address, roommates, etc.
Thus, at the moment in which an occupant, or several, are not cohabitants , all must wear the mask during the trip inside the car. And this includes both long and short journeys.
However, this regulation includes some exceptions:
– People who suffer from diseases or respiratory difficulties that may be aggravated by the use of the mask.
– Due to behavioral changes that make its use unfeasible.
– Due to a situation of disability or dependency, which prevents them from removing the mask by themselves.
On the other hand, it is being considered to eliminate the obligation to wear a mask in outdoor spaces this summer, but always depending on the rate of vaccination. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, pointed out that it could be at the end of August, when it is expected that 70% of the population will be vaccinated. Be that as it may, in closed and public spaces it will continue to be mandatory.
And by bus, plane or train
Unlike the private vehicle, and as is currently the case in any public space, in the case of collective transport , the use of a mask is always mandatory .
In any of these, therefore, you have to wear it, regardless of who you travel with.
What is the fine for not wearing the mask in the car
Not wearing the mask in any of the cases in which it is mandatory is a minor infraction , as provided for in the General Public Health Law (Article 6, Law 33/2011, of October 4).
The fine is up to 100 euros.
We must remember that, in the event that we improperly travel in the car without a mask and are surprised by the Civil Traffic Guard, the agents may issue the complaint, but the DGT does not apply the sanction, since it is not a matter of Traffic, but Health.
In any case, if the occupants of the car live in the same address, they will have to prove it to avoid the corresponding sanction (DNI, passport, register… etc.).
Where can I travel in Spain
Once the state of alarm has ended, the perimeter closures have been lifted in all the Autonomous Communities, so you can travel to or from any of them.
However, there are regional governments thatthey apply perimeters to municipalities, counties or high-incidence health zones. In your case, you cannot enter or leave these, with the exception of justified routes (work, health, studies, dependency, return to the habitual residence). Closed territory can always be traversed in transit.
In addition, the night curfew is only imposed in the Valencian Community (from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.), at least until June 7, in the Balearic Islands (from 00:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.), until June 12, and in the Galician councils in Extreme Level (from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) which, likewise, are closed perimeter.
On the other hand, to travel to the Balearic Islandsfrom any Autonomous Community, a negative diagnostic test (PCR, antigens) is required, with vaccinated national travelers being exempt or coming from communities with an incidence of less than 60 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
And in the case of the Canary Islands , the delivery of a PCR, antigen or TMA test is requested to enter any of the islands.
Can I go to Portugal on vacation by car
Portugal stopped restricting road trips with Spain on May 1 and, since there are no longer perimeter communities, you can travel to our neighboring country without having to prove just cause and for any of the the entry points.
The only exception is those Spanish municipalities, areas or counties in which the perimeter closure is active.
In addition, if traveling by car from Spain to Portugal, it is not required to submit a negative diagnostic test .Yes, it is a requirement in the case of doing it by plane: current regulations require a negative RT-PCR test and that must be carried out at least 72 hours before the trip. A 14-day quarantine
is also required for those travelers who come from high-risk countries (with a cumulative incidence of 500 cases or more per 100,000 inhabitants), although this does not now include Spain , the last recorded being 128 cases. .
On the other hand, from July 1, 2021, Portugal will apply a new discount on the price of tolls , which will be 50% on current rates and can be extended up to 75% to less polluting cars (electric and zero emissions).
However, it must be taken into account that, despite the fact that it is no longer in a state of emergency, the Portuguese country applies some restrictions: capacity is limited in different types of establishments, bars and restaurants close at 8:30 p.m. cultural shows must end at 22:30.
What is the Covid passport
Traveling on vacation in Europe this summer will be easier with the arrival of the Covid passport or Digital COVID Certificate from the European Union (EU).
It will enter into force on July 1 , although it can be requested from June, and will allow European citizens to travel without restrictions through the countries of the EU and the Schengen Area. This means that, for example, these travelers will not be forced to quarantine.
It is a document, which could be physical or digital, where it will appear reflected that you are vaccinated , have a recent negative test (PCR, antigens) or have recovered from the virus .
Said certificate already approved by the EU, although it must be ratified, will have a QR codewith which the authorities of the country of destination can access the traveler’s information (data and requirements indicated above).
It will be free and can be requested at hospitals, health centers or other health authorities. Any of the vaccines authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are valid for this certificate (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen).
