Spain's Andalucia And Valencia Regions To Scrap Mandatory Covid Passports
Spain News
Published: 14 February 2022 15:30 CET
The Spanish regions of Andalucia and Valencia are to scrap mandatory Covid passports which will see them no longer required to enter bars, restaurants and other public spaces.
From Tuesday, February 15, Andalucia will remove the requirement to present the Covid passports in bars, restaurants and other facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes.
The announcement was made on Saturday by the region's Minister of Health Jesús Aguirre (pictured) who said that the Junta would not be seeking to extend their usage with the country's highest court, the TSJA.
“In Andalucía, on the 14th, the extension of the TSJA for the Covid passport is fulfilled. We are not going to ask for a renewal. Immediately, the obligation to present the Covid passport will end. The incidence rate is going down and hospital pressure is too. In one week, hospital pressure has fallen by 600,” he said.
The Covid passports were first introduced in the region on December 20 following the rapid spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant.
Current data from the Ministry of Health shows that the number of hospital admission in Andalucia has fallen considerably in recent weeks due to the success of the vaccination campaign.
There are 1,508 people currently in need of hospital treatment in Andalucia compared to 2,213 just two weeks ago.
As of Friday, February 11, Andalucia has the lowest number of infections of any of the Spanish regions with the most recent ministry data registering 583 cases per 100,000 citizens. This is in contrast to the region with the highest number which is Murcia with 2,189 cases.
The news comes as Valencian Community regional president Ximo Puig also announced on Friday February 11 that they too would be scrapping the Covid passports from March 1 stating that they are "no longer necessary" due to the positive evolution of the pandemic in the region.
"If things continue to go the way they are going, we will continue to see a massive decrease in the number of infections. We are doing well and the government's intention is that there be no restrictions beyond the necessary time," he said.
The Valencian region currently has one of the highest cumulative incidence rates with ministry data published on Friday, February 11, showing 2,041 cases per 100,000. This is in comparison to the national average which currently stands at 1,461.
It comes as the ministry of health announced that they would be scrapping the requirement to wear face masks outside from February 10. However, they will still be required in confined areas where a safe 1.5-metre distance cannot be maintained.
Spanish hospitals saw a huge influx of patients following the explosion of the highly contagious Omicron variant, however, in recent weeks, the number of admissions has been consistently falling due to the success of the country's vaccination campaign.
Official figures published by the ministry of health on Friday show that 91% of the population over the age of 12 has now been fully vaccinated against Coronavirus.
Source
https://murciatoday.com/valencia-region-to-scrap-mandatory-covid-passport-from-march-1_1735164-a.html
https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/covid-passport-rule-20220214093627-nt.html
https://www.sanidad.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/documentos/Actualizacion_552_COVID-19.pdf
https://www.sanidad.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/documentos/Actualizacion_562_COVID-19.pdf
Image Credit: Junta de Andalucia Flickr
