Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

[D6130]

Had our first Italian train journey without wearing masks for more than two years today. Only a short trip - 75 minutes, with one change of trains, in each direction....but it felt very liberating on a sunny, but breezy Tuscan autumn day. However, about 30-40% of passengers had still elected to wear masks - as well as a smaller minority of train crew - and we had a couple of hostile looks from mask-wearing passengers who were obviously unaware that the mask-wearing mandate had been lifted.

 

[Razorblades]

... mask-wearing passengers who were obviously unaware that the mask-wearing mandate had been lifted.

When I see these goons it always puts me in mind of the old joke about soldiers still thinking they're fighting WW2 deep in the jungles of Borneo years after the war ended!

 

[Merseysider]

Wow, is Spain still really enforcing this? When I went in June, they had (who I presume to be the Spanish equivalent to our) Travel Safe Officers, except they had truncheons and resembled the police a lot more. They were all really nice to be fair though, but if you just happened to see them, they looked pretty scary.

I was in Barcelona a month ago (admittedly a different kettle of fish) and wasn’t troubled once for not wearing a mask, nor were the ~30% of other passengers who’d clearly had enough of the blasted things.

 

[_toommm_]

I was in Barcelona a month ago (admittedly a different kettle of fish) and wasn’t troubled once for not wearing a mask, nor were the ~30% of other passengers who’d clearly had enough of the blasted things.

My experience of what I wrote was in Barcelona too, on the FGC trains up to Montserrat and Manresa specifically. The underground (I forget its name) in the centre of Barcelona had next to no enforcement though, but the Regional Express from Reus to Barcelona had the guard/ticket inspector enforcing it.

 

[westv]

Arrived at Reus airport, Spain yesterday
Nobody was asking for any covid details and there was no need for a mask in the taxi
transfer to the hotel. Almost zero presence of masks in Tarragona.
Haven't used public transport so far.

 

[Mainline421]

...and we had a couple of hostile looks from mask-wearing passengers...

I find this hard to believe to be honest considering the number of unmasked passengers while the rules were in effect. I certainly never experienced or witnessed any hostility while I was there.

 

[SurreyCommuter]

Just got back from a week in Poland and for the most part there it's like there was never a pandemic particularly in Krakow. Spotted a couple of masks whilst visiting Auschwitz and the odd mask here or there on public transport in Warsaw and Gdansk. Otherwise all very normal.

 

[Howardh]

Still insisting on masks on buses and in pharmacies, here near Ibiza, if someone caught covid here wonder if they are legally obliged to self isolate?

 

[D6130]

Here in Italy, masks are now optional in pharmacies for the customers (mandatory for the staff)....but still mandatory for everyone in hospitals and doctors' surgeries.

 

[P Binnersley]

Still insisting on masks on buses and in pharmacies, here near Ibiza, if someone caught covid here wonder if they are legally obliged to self isolate?

No requirement to self-isolate in Spain (https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/during/).

What happens if you fall ill during your stay in Spain?

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19, it is recommended to exercise caution and minimise social interactions as much as possible by constantly wearing a mask and maintaining adequate hand hygiene for 10 days after the onset of symptoms or the diagnosis if you are asymptomatic. It is advisable to particularly avoid contact with vulnerable people and not to attend large events.

It is no longer mandatory for close contacts of confirmed cases to self-isolate.

Bear in mind that in all cases, Spanish emergency healthcare services are guaranteed and provided at hospitals and healthcare centres. You can find more information in our Practical Information section.

Always follow the recommendations of the public health authorities on matters concerning COVID-19. You can find more detailed Health Information for each region of Spain by using the map on the home page.

 

[kevin_roche]

I went to Lanzarote last week armed with my vaccination certificate. The plane arrived late and all the people supposed to be checking had gone home.

 

[Howardh]

I went to Lanzarote last week armed with my vaccination certificate. The plane arrived late and all the people supposed to be checking had gone home.

Yes, I forgot to mention at Ibiza airport there was a lane for arrivals after reclaim, I noticed someone sat at the end wearing white, wasn't doing anything, could have been the caretaker for all I know.

If you need to check, do it properly or scrap the whole exercise.

 

[kristiang85]

How are Wizz for enforcing masks to Spain, if anybody has used them recently? Flying with them to Majorca next week.

(in the summer, BA didn't enforce them going to Madrid, but did flying back)

 

[Barnsley]

How are Wizz for enforcing masks to Spain, if anybody has used them recently? Flying with them to Majorca next week.

(in the summer, BA didn't enforce them going to Madrid, but did flying back)

I Flew with Wizz from Doncaster to Malaga in May, there were zero passengers or crew with masks on, we were told we didn't have to wear one, Malaga airport was mask free, the train to Torremolinos was a different story though, Security on the platform refusing people with no mask on!

 

[kristiang85]

I Flew with Wizz from Doncaster to Malaga in May, there were zero passengers or crew with masks on, we were told we didn't have to wear one, Malaga airport was mask free, the train to Torremolinos was a different story though, Security on the platform refusing people with no mask on!

Great, thank you.

 

[Howardh]

Well that's my week's holiday almost ruined, I'm 36 hours into covid! Had the swollen throat, headaches, bodyaches, sweating and chills, sleepless night but at least not much coughing (plenty of pghlem) Seem to be over the worse and all that's left is tiredness, a bit weak and my taste is way off...toothpaste tastes like eating rubber!

So thanks for the info that self isolation in Spain isn't a legal requirement although I've probably left my room twice to get a little food.

Feeling way better right now so might just force a couple down my neck tonight!

When I get home on Sat I'll ring 111 if my stools are still almost black..that's a worry if it continues.

 

[Razorblades]

..toothpaste tastes like eating rubber!

When I get home on Sat I'll ring 111 if my stools are still almost black..that's a worry if it continues.

I think once you've stopped eating rubber, the Pirelli aspect of your foulage will subside.

 

[jumble]

Long weekend in Northern France and Belgium
As much evidence that Covid ever existed as we see in London
Much better than our last holiday in USA Canada
ie
DFDS Ferry recommend masks but ignored by everyone
Belgian bus had masks compulsory on doors but ignored by everyone
Estimate 1% of people we saw in 4 days were masked

 

[westv]

No requirement to self-isolate in Spain (https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/during/).

what happens if you still have symptoms when you are due to fly back?

 

[Howardh]

what happens if you still have symptoms when you are due to fly back?

Nothing! No checks or forms outbound or on arrival.

 

[westv]

Nothing! No checks or forms outbound or on arrival.

But maybe folks glaring at you as you cough and splutter on to the plane.

 

[Howardh]

But maybe folks glaring at you as you cough and splutter on to the plane.

Think I'll be doing that! Actually with one full day left, the only issues now are lack of appetite although taste is returning, and fatigue. I cough occasionally and use a hanky, nothing that should worry.

 

[Jimini]

Think I'll be doing that! Actually with one full day left, the only issues now are lack of appetite although taste is returning, and fatigue. I cough occasionally and use a hanky, nothing that should worry.

How's the, ahem, exit situation, back to the regular shade of brown?

 

[Howardh]

How's the, ahem, exit situation, back to the regular shade of brown?

How can I put this...my intake recently due to lack of appetite has reduced the exit poll, so I don't know!

On the plus side, I reckon I've dropped a size!

At home, for over the 2 yes of covid I'd built up a war chest of soups, rice puddings etc which can be cooked quickly and provide nourishment, none of which is available here! Should have gone self catering! Do have a fridge so kept a ton of milk in there.

Did take paracetamol and ibuprofen with me as standard + sickness pills so they came in handy.

One day I'll have a rant about simple Over The Counter medicines, pills etc only being available in pharmacies (at some cost) here. Considering I'm next door to Ibiza and all the pills kids get in clubs dancing to gramaphone records, and all I want is cough linctus and one of Joe's mintballs..

 

[nedchester]

But maybe folks glaring at you as you cough and splutter on to the plane.

Caught Covid in the USA in the summer….trying not to cough on the plane for 8 hours was an experience!

 

[Planesandtrain]

Austria is likley to reintroduce FFP2 masks on public transport, stations and supermarkets in the coming days/weeks judging by the media pushing and politicians from FPO and Greens saying it's likley following todays presidential election.

 

[Richard Scott]

Austria is likley to reintroduce FFP2 masks on public transport, stations and supermarkets in the coming days/weeks judging by the media pushing and politicians from FPO and Greens saying it's likley following todays presidential election.

Austria will be back off of the visiting list then!
I really don't understand these countries, are their politicians too stupid to see how pointless this charade is or are their citizens just too compliant and politicians just taking advantage of this?
Hope they don't lecture about environmental awareness whilst this nonsense generates huge amounts of waste.

 

[Razorblades]

Austria is likley to reintroduce FFP2 masks on public transport, stations and supermarkets in the coming days/weeks judging by the media pushing and politicians from FPO and Greens saying it's likley following todays presidential election.

Absolutely pathetic, to put it mildly. Rather worryingly fascistic, is another permitted view.

 

[yorkie]

I was in Austria last month and saw virtually no sign of mask wearing, except in Vienna itself but I was only changing trains at the main stations. Hardly anyone was wearing a mask on the trains to/from Vienna.

I have also got back from Portugal and hardly anyone is wearing a mask there; back when mask wearing was required compliance was 100%, albeit most people wearing completely ineffectiveness flimsy masks just for show.

Which European countries are on the avoid list now? Germany, Spain, soon to be Austria; any more...?

 

[kristiang85]

I just had an email from Wizz saying to wear masks on my flight to Mallorca tomorrow. Hopefully compliance will be low... (And if not I hope the drinks trolley is fully stocked.

And, guess what, then I'm in Germany next weekend! (I do choose well)