Is it safe to holiday in Spain?

[hombre]

I was all ready to drive to Spain via France but have postponed plans in case France -Spain border closes. Am now planning to fly out to Alicante. One general question: Is it safe to be in Spain In and around Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa areas? TIA

[Bee]

Personally I feel it is safer in Alicante than either Ireland or UK. Masks,masks and masks once you step outside your door. Difficult to remember them when you are not used to wearing them. Beaches and community pools all well organised and no overcrowding. No masks on the beaches but you must wear them while accessing the beach. Same for swimming pool. Restaurants as normal. A lot less people but I am sure August will see a slight rise in numbers.

Bee

[hombre]

Good to know Bee. Thanks.

[aviator]

I take the view that, at the moment, travelling to Spain by car is safer than flying as far as COVID 19 is concerned. You are in your own car well away from other people, not sharing air with and in close proximity to potential carriers of the virus, which is unavoidable if you fly. Overnight stops in hotels pose minimal risk as you are in your own room away from other people most of the time and social distancing is enforced when dining. Returning to the UK from Playa Flamenca, when I crossed the border from Spain to France on the 5th of June, via the Somport tunnel, we drove straight into France without a Gendarme or border guard in sight, so no problems on that score.

We shall be returning to Spain by road at the beginning of October, provided there are no further lockdowns or restrictions prohibiting travel.

[Carl]

I feel secure here on the Orihuela Costa, although I think I probably felt more secure as the country progressively passed through the phases of the de-escalation of the lockdown, as opposed to where the area is currently.

The visible presence of increased security ensuring social distancing and use of hand sanitizers before entering stores has now largely disappeared to the extent that hand sanitzers are left at the entrance to stores to help yourself and you hope that eveyone uses them - although I have seen people walk straight past them and not been challenged by store staff.

Whilst I think that masks are a good idea, people were simply told they needed to be worn but were not told how to use or remove them safely, me included until I saw an instructional video on the TV. As an example, people are adjusting their masks by touching the outer surface level with their nose and mouth, the area where the respiratory droplets are most likely to be, and then touching products in stores which are then touched by other people.

Most people seem to be using the disposable medical masks, but how many are actually disposing of them after the single use they are intended for ?

I think the biggest concern must be complacency, especially as we are now in the peak holiday season and everyone leaves common sense at home.

[wendy]

We are thinking of driving down the first week in Sept, all I am worried about is how many more cases there may be after the influx of "Mad indians" coming down to their holiday homes in August, so not booking anything like the tunnel until nearer.