This weekend, the sun reached its highest point in the sky, we had our longest day and summer officially started in the northern hemisphere. It was also, very happily, the weekend that the ‘state of alarm’ officially ended in Spain. Until further notice, we will now live under the rather awkwardly-named “new normal”, but in Andalucia, this will not be quite the same as in the rest of the country.
The Spanish borders are now open to European tourists (including UK passengers), while a limited number of designated airports will welcome travellers from outside of the EU. Please check your own country’s regulations in term of travel to and from Spain. “Air Bridges” are expected to be in place in the UK by July 4, avoiding the need for quarantine on return from Spain and a handful of other countries.
Below are some of the most important regulations you need to know if living or visiting this part of Spain:
- At all times you should try to keep 1.5 metre distance from other people and where that isn’t possible, you should wear a face mask.
- Andalusian bars and restaurants will be able to occupy their terraces 100%, provided that social distance measures are met and groups do not exceed 25 people. Inside the premises, occupancy has now increased from 66% to 75%.
- In hotels and tourist apartments, common areas, such as meeting rooms and dining rooms are allowed up to 50% capacity. In other areas of Spain, this percentage rises to 75%, but Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Regional Government of Andalucia, has insisted on his government’s continued commitment to “caution”.
- In cinemas, theatres and auditoriums, seating capacity is increased to 65%, while open-air concerts will have a maximum capacity of 1,500 people, although all of them must be seated.
- Conferences/exhibitions can invite up to 75 delegates, so long as protection measures are complied with.
- Weddings and Funerals will are now able to have up to 60 attendees if they are outdoors and 30 indoors, while 75 people will be able to attend funeral processions.
It’s clear that summer will be very different this year compared to others, but fortunately, Granada province is ideally suited to enjoying a holiday within the new standards, thanks to its countless open-air dining options, the relatively quiet beaches of the Costa Tropical and the beautiful walking routes where you hardly encounter anyone at all and where you can cool off in streams and waterfalls.
We are very happy to be able to welcome everyone back to the Lecrin Valley and will be happy to see clients in our office by appointment or to organise viewings of the many beautiful houses we have on our books. With renewed optimism, it’s a great time to find your Spanish home.
We wish you all a wonderful, sunny summer and continued good health.
Additional photos courtesy of Los Naranjos Hotel & Restaurant and Carmen Liesker.
At Home in Andalusia 