Andalucia Enforces Face Masks On Beaches

Tourists arriving in Andalusia will be forced to wear face masks at all beaches and swimming pools after the regional  government passed new coronavirus regulations.

According to the Ministry of Health and Families of the Government of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain, face masks are now obligatory both at swimming pools and beaches from today (Wednesday).

People breaking the new rules could reportedly face fines of up to 100 EUR , according to the Ministry of Health and Families.

The use of the face masks is obligatory for people older than six years old in outdoor spaces regardless if they are able to keep a social distancing of 1.5 metres (5 feet) or not, according to the local government.

Local police officers who have been charged with enforcing the order have been patroling beaches and warning beachgoers to put face masks on or be fined.

The Minister of Health and Families in Andalusia, Jesus Aguirre, told 20 Minutos: “I know it is an extra effort and even more with the heat right now but it is a necessity and a responsibility with elderly people.”

The Government of Andalusia also announced that they have reduced the number of people allowed to attend funeral wakes from 60 to 25 people in outdoor spaces and from 30 to 10 in indoor spaces.

Local news outlet Granada Hoy reports the decision comes after a crowded wake in the municipality of Belicena in the city of Granada resulted in a COVID-19 outbreak with at least 45 new cases on 9th July.