If you’re looking at the news today, you will have seen that face masks are back in Mallorca in 2024. Like a flashback to 2020, facemasks have been re-introduced in medical centres all over Spain.
Initially, the Government here in Mallorca felt it unnecessary to reintroduce wearing face coverings in medical centres.
However, they have come under pressure from the central Government in Madrid and the use of face masks in healthcare settings is now mandatory across Spain for at least the next few weeks.
A sharp spike in annual flu cases has been widely reported throughout the country combined with the pressure on hospitals and medical centres and an increase in hospital admissions.
It all sounds like a horrible flashback to 2020, then this is where we are right now.
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Face Masks Are Back in Mallorca in 2024 – What does this mean if you are visiting Mallorca for a Winter break?
It means that if you are visiting medical centres, chemists, dentists and hospitals you will need to wear a face covering.
I visited my local health centre in Palma de Mallorca today (9 January) to renew my health card and boxes of masks had already been placed at the reception.
All the staff were already wearing face masks, and the patients were too and the implication was that those of us in line had to also.
If you do need to go to see a doctor, then the chances are there will be face masks on the health centre reception as this new ruling came in quite suddenly.
In less than 24 hours the ruling which had just applied to the Canary Islands looks like it is being rolled out nationwide.
Are face masks necessary on public transport in Mallorca in 2024?
I have noticed since arriving back to Mallorca from our Christmas holiday that more people were wearing face masks on flights and in the Palma Airport terminal.
There has also been an increase of passengers wearing face masks on public buses from my experience in the past couple of days.
There is no obligation to wear face masks on public transport (yet) but if you plan on using the public buses, you may wish to wear a covering.
Should you wear a facemask on the flight to Mallorca?
There is no requirement to wear a face mask on your flight to and from Mallorca, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, then do wear one.
As I mentioned, more people at the airport are wearing facemasks but there is currently no requirement to do so.
Are face masks necessary in public spaces in Mallorca in 2024?
Aside from medical centres, face masks are not required to be worn in public spaces other than medical centres.
However, I have also seen from my travels around the island over the past few days a huge increase in supermarket workers, shoppers and those visiting shopping centres wearing face masks.
The press has reported on the rise in flu cases which is expected to rise with the return of children in the classrooms.
Medical centres are even offering flu vaccinations without appointments to try and minimise cases.
Can I buy face masks in Mallorca in 2024?
Yes, you can buy face masks easily in Mallorca. They are available in pharmacies/chemists and in all the supermarkets too.
Prices range from 50 cents each for an FFP2 mask to buying a pack of 10 blue masks for a euro or two in supermarkets such as Mercadona or Euroski.
Face Masks Are Back in Mallorca in 2024 – Will restrictions increase in Spain in 2024?
I hope restrictions will not increase in Spain in 2024.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Mallorca Under the Sun YouTube channel where I can quickly update you with any updates to this.
It is also worth joining the Mallorca Under the Sun Facebook Group to keep updated.
Don’t forget Spain had the strictest restrictions regarding wearing facemasks during the pandemic and wearing facemasks on public transport was maintained until February 2023, and in health centres until last July.
So if you’re arriving in Mallorca, don’t be surprised to see what looks like a return to pandemic days residents wearing facemasks going about their day-to-day business.
If you do get very ill on holiday and you wish to see a doctor, then check out this article here about how to see a doctor on holiday in Mallorca in 2024.
My advice is to avoid busy areas and get out and about in the wonderful Mallorca countryside.
So if you would like to get plenty of fresh air, then check out this easy hike to do in Soller with fresh air guaranteed.
Also check out the playlist of hiking videos on the Mallorca Under the Sun YouTube channel of hiking routes to keep that fresh air flowing.
If you are visiting the island this Winter, find out more about the weather in Mallorca here, what else you can expect visiting in January, and above all, please enjoy your stay.
I find the antimask sentiment in this article (and the cover image) to be in very poor taste. It takes very little effort to don a high quality FFP2 mask and this is a small price to pay to prevent sickness and death from airborne diseases. Please show more respect for the health and well-being of fellow travellers and citizens of the country you are visiting, many of whom are elderly and in high risk groups.
Sorry to offend Robert. When I travel to see my 89 year old Mum I also wear a mask on a flight because I couldn’t bear passing on some bug to her via a flight. However, I’ve since learned that it was proven that masks don’t work. I’m no expert. For some it makes them feel safer. But studies have been done to show they make no difference. Didn’t mean to offend. But the health centres are not giving out FFP2 masks, jus the blue masks pictured. The pharmacy near to where I live – the people working there refuse to wear them! Living in Spain during the covid pandemic was nothing like the UK. The rules enforced here were overly strict and enforced harshly longer than any other European country. Imagine being fined for walking outside without wearing a mask! That’s what we had here! We are all pretty over it by now, especially without concrete proof that mask wearing worked.