Where can we go without wearing a mask on beaches/at the pool?

[FizzyPink]

We’re booked to go to Barcelona in 4 weeks time but I’ve just seen they’ve introduced rules that mean face masks need to be worn even at the pool or beach. I really really don’t want to be wearing a mask while chilling in the hot sun so thinking we’ll change our booking.

Where could we go instead? I’m tempted by Greece but as we’re only going for 4 nights I’m a bit put off by a longer flight. Seville was also an option but the flight times weren’t great. Any ideas?

You can in Southern spain so Malaga - you don't have to wear a mask by the pool or beach or while eating or drinking in a restaurant

Thanks @workshy44 I’m looking at various other Spanish locations now. I can’t believe how pleased we were at getting such a good deal only for them to bring in this new rule for Barcelona only!
I don’t mind wandering around wearing one but on the beach seems a bit ridiculous. Think we’re going to have to pay the amendment fee to move to another location

That rule now applies to the whole of Majorca Ibiza Menorca and Andalusia so Malaga etc too

You don’t need them if sat on beaches or in pool in Barcelona but you do if walking around on beach

www.guidetomalaga.com/events-in-malaga/malaga-news/need-to-know-coronavirus-in-malaga/

If you look each day the same rule has come out in a new area - started with Catalonia and not many areas of Spain Sam was

Same

No you do need them on the beach or by the pool in Barcelona but not any of the other places mentioned.

What have you decided to do?

I’m so angry that I’ve bookrd as only booked this week but I’m within 3 weeks and can’t change

I don’t like the stats for Barcelona currently - theyre increasing lots per day

Just returned yesterday from Lanzarote and masks only required when in a shop

Just returned from Lanzarote yesterday masks only required when in a shop or on public transport

I’m not sure what to do at the moment, BA have said that we can apply for a refund voucher up to 3 weeks before so we’ve got another week for that. Or they’re offering to let us change destination with a £100 fee. It’s just annoying that everywhere else is much more expensive than when we booked and we only really booked because it was so cheap.

BA did also say that if the advice for travelling to Barcelona changes then they may be able to change our booking for free or give a refund. I think at the moment we’ll wait until next week and then make a decision.

Good that you have the choice 👍

I’m really worried and I’m very relaxed about Covid generally but someone online in Spain said they’re considering containment’s measures for Barcelona based on recent surges in the area inc closures of bars and restaurants etc - but no lockdown in city itself (neighbouring areas are already on new Lockdowns)

Not sure where I stand if they close leisure stuff but give no ‘official’ lockdown

Don’t wanna go in those circs but they may not deny travel!

I’m stressed so much and I only booked 3 days ago! So gutted I didn’t research properly

Oh god that would be the worst if you had to go but things were closed!
I’ve just signed up for alerts on the foreign office website so if anything changes I’ll know straight away.

I’m almost hoping it gets a bit worse so it’s easier for us to change.

Do you have kids? Mine are 14&12 and we only booked it a) cos it was cheap b) we presumed it’d be a safer bet in terms of stuff being open! 🙈

We are in Catalunya at the moment . Are you flying to Barcelona only or have you booked a hotel there ? If you have only booked flights I would stay outside of the city if possible ? . I was at the beach today ( La Fosca near Palamós ) and no masks required whilst on the beach but once off the beach you must wear . Not sure if it's more strict in the city though .

Hi I’ve booked flights and hotel as package bang in centre Barcelona were lockdown in unfortunately

In the l’example area which is one of the outbreak areas 😩

We are not going to go but hoping they cancel as I don’t want to be anywhere we’re theres active community transmission

Have you seen they’ve gone back into voluntary lockdown and lots of things have closed again?

Hoping that means it’ll be easier to cancel or amend now

I have and I’ve messaged easyJet about 100 times and nothing! Flights still leaving for Barcelona daily but I guess not all those will be staying in Barcelona

Mines a package holiday so hope they will cancel based on hotel location but it’s not legal lockdown so may not 😩 I want refund not vouchers so don’t really want to ring them and change

I just want them to cancel it

Prob is the current lockdown is reviewed the day before I travel so it may all be very last minute - not sure if they’ve cancelled holidays in next couple weeks? They haven’t cancelled people’s flights but Barcelona airport serves a large area ind Salou. Hopefully given mines a package I hope I’ve got extra protection there but who knows!

Not going tho - can’t take kids there