SHOWING a 'Covid passport' to enter bars and restaurants may soon cease to be a requirement in the vast majority of Spain's regions, although it will still be needed for travel within the European Union and for certain third countries.
From November, a total of 13 of the nation's 17 autonomously-governed regions made it compulsory for hospitality premises to scan customers' QR codes at the entrance, either on a physical, paper document or on a phone or laptop, issued by their regional health authority.
These are proof that the holder has been double-jabbed – or single-jabbed with the one-dose Janssen formula - has had and recovered from Covid within the past six months, or has either taken a PCR or antigen test with a negative result, 72 or 24 hours prior, respectively.
The move was controversial from the start, even though all residents aged 12 and over would have been given the option to take up the vaccine by November, and where they decided to do so, would have had both doses.
Over the next few weeks, though, showing a 'Covid passport' to get into a restaurant or bar is likely to fizzle out in much of the country.
Regions set to axe the compulsory QR code soon
Cantabria and Asturias on the northern coast have already announced they will eliminate the requirement, and the land-locked north-eastern region of Aragón is not permitted to continue to use the system beyond January 31 after applying to the court to do so and its request being denied.
Four other regions - Andalucía, La Rioja, Navarra and Galicia - had extended 'Covid passport' use up to and including January 31, but have decided not to do so beyond this date.
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