It would be interesting to observe how local authorities strike a compromise between public health concerns and the yearning for a return to normalcy, as British expats and other residents struggle with the prolonged mask requirements.
Despite a notable decline in COVID-19 and flu cases, health authorities in Andalucia have extended the necessary use of face masks in all health centers, posing new hurdles for British expats living in Spain. Concerns have been raised by both local police inspections and locals due to the strict implementation of these restrictions.
Because they weren’t wearing a mask, a Marbella resident says they were sent away from a routine medical appointment. The person described what happened to the Olive Press, saying, “He told me to go away and come back with a mask.” He said he would have to see me more than an hour later, but I said I would rush over and get one.
“He warned me that ‘it is still a rule’ in the whole region and that local police had been ‘doing inspections’ to find people breaking the rule and that he or I could be fined.”The report does not specifically explain what the consequences are for breaking the face mask mandate.
But similar regulations during the COVID-19 epidemic resulted in fines for repeat and serious violators ranging from €100 to €6,000. The mask mandate would probably stay in place for a another week if incidence of respiratory illnesses declined, the Junta (regional administration) said last Friday.