For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I think in Spain you'll have problems in shops and hotels if don't wear a mask . Outside people usually don't say anything.I cannot wear a mask. In the UK, I have self certified that I am exempt from wearing a mask and have downloaded a card from the government website as well as bought a Sunflower lanyard for those with hidden disabilities.
It is said that there are no exemptions in Spain, but I believe that that is not true. This is what the regulations, which the UK gov website linked to, says:
Se excepcionan de esta obligación a aquellas personas que presenten algún tipo de dificultad respiratoria que pueda verse agravada por la utilización de la mascarilla y a aquellas cuyo uso se encuentre contraindicado por motivos de salud o discapacidad.
Using google translate, this says:
Those persons who present any type of respiratory distress that may be aggravated by the use of the mask and those whose use is contraindicated for reasons of health or disability.
So my question is: if we go to Spain whilst there is still the requirement to wear a mask, how do I set about ensuring that I am exempt? Do I need a doctor's certificate? Or would my UK exemption card be adequate?
Contact the Spanish Government and ask them to furnish you with whatever document they use in their country.I cannot wear a mask. In the UK, I have self certified that I am exempt from wearing a mask and have downloaded a card from the government website as well as bought a Sunflower lanyard for those with hidden disabilities.
It is said that there are no exemptions in Spain, but I believe that that is not true. This is what the regulations, which the UK gov website linked to, says:
Se excepcionan de esta obligación a aquellas personas que presenten algún tipo de dificultad respiratoria que pueda verse agravada por la utilización de la mascarilla y a aquellas cuyo uso se encuentre contraindicado por motivos de salud o discapacidad.
Using google translate, this says:
Those persons who present any type of respiratory distress that may be aggravated by the use of the mask and those whose use is contraindicated for reasons of health or disability.
So my question is: if we go to Spain whilst there is still the requirement to wear a mask, how do I set about ensuring that I am exempt? Do I need a doctor's certificate? Or would my UK exemption card be adequate?
Not wearing a mask - would this leave you more vulnerable to contracting C-19? Why would you want to put yourself in any such danger, particularly if your condition is respiratory related? There will probably be travel insurance implications also. I don't wish to pry, but you have posted your point.I cannot wear a mask. In the UK, I have self certified that I am exempt from wearing a mask and have downloaded a card from the government website as well as bought a Sunflower lanyard for those with hidden disabilities.
It is said that there are no exemptions in Spain, but I believe that that is not true. This is what the regulations, which the UK gov website linked to, says:
Se excepcionan de esta obligación a aquellas personas que presenten algún tipo de dificultad respiratoria que pueda verse agravada por la utilización de la mascarilla y a aquellas cuyo uso se encuentre contraindicado por motivos de salud o discapacidad.
Using google translate, this says:
Those persons who present any type of respiratory distress that may be aggravated by the use of the mask and those whose use is contraindicated for reasons of health or disability.
So my question is: if we go to Spain whilst there is still the requirement to wear a mask, how do I set about ensuring that I am exempt? Do I need a doctor's certificate? Or would my UK exemption card be adequate?
In the US businesses don't have to allow you inside if you aren't wearing a mask, even with a legitimate medical exemption. They do however have to provide you with an alternative, such as curbside pickup.Depressing that stores etc could still refuse you entry. In the UK, the threat of a massive £5,000 max fine for breaching the disability discrimination act is a huge help.
But this is EuropeIn the US businesses don't have to allow you inside if you aren't wearing a mask, even with a legitimate medical exemption. They do however have to provide you with an alternative, such as curbside pickup.
Maybe with your issues you should as everyone should think 2 or 3 times before walking.
but...as someone said, you still may not be allowed in stores, letter or not.
But the OP was asking about Spain. (Regulations differ widely across Europe.) As a reader from another country, I found it interesting to learn how a similar situation is handled elsewhere. That might give a clue to the OP to help in finding/understanding the information for Spain.But this is Europe
We all can do what we decide to do but a statement regarding scientific facts are always warranted when the risk to others is possible by our own personal actions. Buen CaminoKindly look at Coruna Virus Discussions Thread (8):
"Please do not offer opinions on whether someone should or should not walk the Camino."
The OP's question was:
" if we go to Spain whilst there is still the requirement to wear a mask, how do I set about ensuring that I am exempt? Do I need a doctor's certificate? Or would my UK exemption card be adequate? "
It was NOT
"Should I or should I not walk the camino . . . "
I cannot wear a mask.
Is that widely recognised as such in the UK? I had never heard of it nor do I know of an equivalent in Spain or any other country. You may have to continue to search on Google for an answer to your question. The question of how to prove that one is entitled to an exemption of wearing a face mask in public spaces or in shops may be regulated at the regional level in Spain. I used the search term exención mascarilla site:.es to have a look for specific information.Sunflower lanyard
This looks like a really great protection, I'm going to buy one.How about wearing a face shield? Everyone can wear a face shield
Nowadays you can get a mini-shield which covers just your nose and mouth, and doesn't affect breathing
The bonus of wearing some kind of protection on your face is that you won't get lynched by the locals before you manage to explain them in Spanish why you are spreading the virus in their village
Yesterday, I went with my sister, who is doing a complete bathroom remodel, to a bath/kitchen specialty store. (It was my first non-essential store I'd to since covid, apart from some outdoor dining.) We wore masks, and the salesman was wearing an awesome looking face shield. I think it could possibly be "helpful" and it looked really nice, but the gaps on all sides had me wondering how effective it really was.Face shields are not as protective as face masks, and should be worn in addition to a mask.
Face shields did not protect people from the coronavirus in an outbreak in Switzerland, but masks did, health officials say
Health officials in Switzerland caution against wearing a face shield without a mask after a recent outbreak of coronavirus.www.insider.com
I agree. As my Spanish is quite limited, it is too hard for me to find out about the exact situation in Spain. You rightly point out that regulations differ widely across Europe. However, national equal treatment and anti discrimination laws have some anchors in EU law. I had a look at the current situation in a large EU country other than Spain.But the OP was asking about Spain. (Regulations differ widely across Europe.) As a reader from another country, I found it interesting to learn how a similar situation is handled elsewhere. That might give a clue to the OP to help in finding/understanding the information for Spain.
I agree. As my Spanish is quite limited, it is too hard for me to find out about the exact situation in Spain. You rightly point out that regulations differ widely across Europe. However, national equal treatment and anti discrimination laws have some anchors in EU law. I had a look at the current situation in a large EU country other than Spain.
Their anti-discrimination/equal treatment law does not give people who cannot wear a face mask on health grounds unfettered access to retail shops. This surprised me. In that country which has a high level of equal treatment and anti-discrimination provisions, retail shops have the right to refuse access to anyone not wearing a face mask and they are not obliged to provide alternative options although a number of them are willing to do so.
So, to any pilgrim from the UK: be prepared that the situation in Spain may be different from what you are used to in the UK.
My thought is if someone has severe enough issue to not wear a mask, how in the world can they handle the work of along caminoThere is no exemption to avoid wearing a mask. And there shouldn't be.
There is no exemption to avoid wearing a mask. And there shouldn't be.
My thought is if someone has severe enough issue to not wear a mask, how in the world can they handle the work of along camino
Download an exemption card here. Much easier (and less embarrassing) than having to explain.But everyone here so far have been very understanding.....as are the bus drivers when my neighbour , who has asthma, goes to work in the morning
I've seen people in stores explain at the shop entrances as to why they cannot wear a mask...and always accepted in a pleasant way
Their anti-discrimination/equal treatment law does not give people who cannot wear a face mask on health grounds unfettered access to retail shops. This surprised me. In that country which has a high level of equal treatment and anti-discrimination provisions, retail shops have the right to refuse access to anyone not wearing a face mask and they are not obliged to provide alternative options although a number of them are willing to do so.
Face shields are not as protective as face masks, and should be worn in addition to a mask.
Face shields did not protect people from the coronavirus in an outbreak in Switzerland, but masks did, health officials say
Health officials in Switzerland caution against wearing a face shield without a mask after a recent outbreak of coronavirus.www.insider.com
I don't think that was the intended implication. We are currently in an exceptional time, and people need to be realistic about their expectations - there are some things that limit us all, at the moment - many of us are not currently able to walk a Camino, for different reasons. The rules about mask use are very new. Hopefully they will be unnecessary before too long, but if they are needed in the "new normal" we will all have to develop new coping mechanisms, rules, and ways to help each other be safe. We need to be patient.So are you implying that these people are not able to work or walk a Camino?
In the US, having a good medical reason for not wearing a mask does not mean a license to do as one pleases.
I asked for facts from someone in Spain who is knowledgable as to how exemptions work.
I did not ask for opinions.
totally agree with youMaybe with your issues you should as everyone should think 2 or 3 times before walking. You can’t wear a mask so you may or may not be putting yourself at a higher risk. But what is certain is if you contract the virus and you are asymptotic like so many millions are you will be walking around putting a countless number of people at risk. Especially older people and people with compromised immune systems. The possibility becomes real that you may be a spreader and risk people’s lives. You should also read about those worldwide who refer to themselves as “Long Haulers”. People who are perfectly healthy and contracted the virus and in a majority of cases have mild to moderate symptoms. Months later they are still suffering from a host of conditions,
Memory loss, no smell/taste. Lethargy and fatigue so severe they can barely function, muscle and bone pain. There are just some of the symptoms. These are also not old people or people with compromised immune systems. These are healthy people as young as their late teens. There is growing alarm among the medics community as they were slow to recognize this. They have no therapies or drugs whatsoever or even guidance for these people. Whatever condition you may have may also exacerbate your health issues . I know these are all maybes and ifs but what if it was someone else without a mask or being out in a crowd because they want to or they have to go walk the Camino and they infected someone you love?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?