ARCHIVED - Covid passports needed for entry into nightclubs and restaurants in some parts of Spain
Regional governments begin to use the EU health passport scheme in an attempt to prevent further increases in Covid contagion
Controversy over what some see as the misuse of Covid passports is beginning to concern Spain’s Ministry of Health, as various regional governments attempt to limit the spread of the fifth wave of coronavirus contagion by placing restrictions on those entering nightlife venues and cultural events.
In Galicia the intention of the regional government is to introduce requirement for the presentation of a recent negative PCR test result for those entering indoor areas of bars and restaurants, while in Extremadura the government has decided that those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are to be exempt from the perimetral closure of certain municipalities.
In the Comunidad Valenciana, meanwhile, a “Covid passport” must be shown by those attending cultural events – as is the case in France – and there are concerns that such selective regulations are unfair on those who have not yet had the chance to receive their Covid jabs. There is also a worry that the Covid passport scheme introduced throughout the EU is being used for purposes for which it was not designed as many regions of Spain attempt to reintroduce some of the restrictions which were lifted at the start of the summer.
Many businesses are in favour of the schemes put forward by regional governments as they suspect that without them they will be forced to close their doors again, but it is being pointed out that they discriminate against certain groups, including those who have not been vaccinated because they have a medical condition which makes it inadvisable. In addition, of course, many children and young adults have not yet received the protection of vaccines, and those aged under 12 are unlikely to do so in the near future as the safety of vaccines has not yet been sufficiently guaranteed for their age group.