OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Camino update - March 1st 2021 What's the situation regarding travel?

[jefferyonthecamino]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

 

[malingerer]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

sad but necessary. sigh.

samarkand.

 

[Dsavid Keyte]

Sorry to repeat, but stay home, stay safe, we do not need pilgrims at the moment

 

[Harington]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

The official EU website https://reopen.europa.eu/en gives details of who may enter which EU country. If you're a 'third country' the EU is effectively closed. However, that website will give all details - Spain, France, Portugal etc.

 

[NYSE]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

The blue is giving me the blues.

 

[trecile]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

Thanks for the update. Do you have a link to the source so that people can follow it?

 

[Tincatinker]

That's really encouraging. Now all I have to do is teleport / apparate to Ferrol and I can walk Ferrol - Santiago - Fisterra - Muxia - Santiago - A Coruna claim two Compostellas, a Fisterrana and a Muxiana (and a well deserved Distance Certificate as well). Now, where did I put my Star Trek / Harry Potter manuals ?

I realise I could get a flight to A Coruna but no rational human being would want to indulge in international air travel at the moment would they? Seriously?

 

[Albertagirl]

That's really encouraging. Now all I have to do is teleport / apparate to Ferrol and I can walk Ferrol - Santiago - Fisterra - Muxia - Santiago - A Coruna claim two Compostellas, a Fisterrana and a Muxiana (and a well deserved Distance Certificate as well). Now, where did I put my Star Trek / Harry Potter manuals ?

I realise I could get a flight to A Coruna but no rational human being would want to indulge in international air travel at the moment would they? Seriously?

How about rowing/sailing? The Irish have done it.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)

The one single exception to your well-made point is that those legally present in Castilla y León may cross into Galicia as foot pilgrims on the Way of Saint James. (oh, and I guess some locals in the Portuguese border Municipalities)

La Rioja has relaxed its perimeter lockdown, but no similar exceptional permission has been granted AFAIK to allow pilgrims to enter Castilla y León on foot from that region.

It is legal to enter Navarra from France by land travel (on foot for example), as the EU has insisted that its internal international borders must remain open ; so that given the current status of the relaxation of lockdowns here and there, if Castilla y León were to permit land travel from La Rioja, then a Camino starting in France (anywhere in France, which has no regional lockdowns as such) to Compostela would in the most technical and abstract manner become feasible.

Though likely with a good deal of bother from Police, and much sleeping outdoors.

I do suspect that restrictions will be eased further during March.

 

[JabbaPapa]

How about rowing/sailing? The Irish have done it.

Arrivals in both ports and airports are bound by identical travel restrictions.

Only land travel has some exceptions.

 

[mette]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

What if you are vaccinated? Is it possible to travel in Spain if you have received the COVID-19 vaccination?

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Thanks for the update. Do you have a link to the source so that people can follow it?

https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesiona...tasActual/nCov/estrategia/medidasPrevCCAA.htm

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

What if you are vaccinated? Is it possible to travel in Spain if you have received the COVID-19 vaccination?

no, the vaccination does not allow you to breach regional perimeter lockdowns. that might happen by summer. apparently we can still spread the virus after getting vaccinated and not getting sick.

however, i would rather not engage in another covid debate; the point of the original post was to offer an overview of the current situation in spain regarding travel within spain. i live here, so i hope to be back on the camino asap and avoiding air travel. cheers

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

The one single exception to your well-made point is that those legally present in Castilla y León may cross into Galicia as foot pilgrims on the Way of Saint James. (oh, and I guess some locals in the Portuguese border Municipalities)

La Rioja has relaxed its perimeter lockdown, but no similar exceptional permission has been granted AFAIK to allow pilgrims to enter Castilla y León on foot from that region.

It is legal to enter Navarra from France by land travel (on foot for example), as the EU has insisted that its internal international borders must remain open ; so that given the current status of the relaxation of lockdowns here and there, if Castilla y León were to permit land travel from La Rioja, then a Camino starting in France (anywhere in France, which has no regional lockdowns as such) to Compostela would in the most technical and abstract manner become feasible.

Though likely with a good deal of bother from Police, and much sleeping outdoors.

I do suspect that restrictions will be eased further during March.

can i ask what your source is? i'm pretty sure there are currently no exceptions when crossing autonomous community borders, but i could be wrong.

there were some exceptions in the past as city, province and autonomous community lockdowns caught a lot of pilgrims on the Camino; but at the moment, crossing autonomous communities for tourism is not allowed. but as i said above, i may be wrong. i have googled for a Camino-exception update but have had no luck.

as for france and portugal (and andorra, gibraltar and morocco), interestingly, it is easier for us to leave/enter spain than travel within spain.

sleeping outdoors on public land is illegal in most instances in spain; thankfully are farmers are usually pretty cool with trespassers.

 

[JabbaPapa]

can i ask what your source is? i'm pretty sure there are currently no exceptions when crossing autonomous community borders, but i could be wrong.

It's a long-standing exception, so sorry can't remember any of the original sources. But it's why there's still a small trickle of pilgrims from Castilla y León.

They still can't enter any individual Municipality that is in lockdown, though they're allowed to bus through such places.

as for france and portugal (and andorra, gibraltar and morocco)

Those countries (and territory) each have their own particular rules.

sleeping outdoors on public land is illegal in most instances in spain; thankfully are farmers are usually pretty cool with trespassers.

It actually varies greatly from one region to another, even one Municipality and another.

And it's less the sleeping outdoors than the camping as such, with portable cooking facilities etc., particularly in the same spot for several days.

 

[trecile]

https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesiona...tasActual/nCov/estrategia/medidasPrevCCAA.htm

Thanks!

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

It's a long-standing exception, so sorry can't remember any of the original sources. But it's why there's still a small trickle of pilgrims from Castilla y León.

Too bad. Living here, I was definitely under a different impression, and that at the moment no travel of any kind (except for work, medical, etc... was allowed between Autonomous Communities). Indeed, only 3 pilgrims requested their Compostelas in February, two starting in Portugal and one in Galicia (O Cebreiro).

They still can't enter any individual Municipality that is in lockdown, though they're allowed to bus through such places.

True, and at a regional level across Spain. Hard to keep up with the updates though. I'm off to Extremadura tomorrow just because its opened its perimeter and the town lockdowns as well.

Those countries (and territory) each have their own particular rules.

Absolutely, and it's crazy. I can visit Andorra (though not ski) without any problems, but I cannot go to Toledo. Portugal has closed and opened its borders intermittently.

It actually varies greatly from one region to another, even one Municipality and another.

And it's less the sleeping outdoors than the camping as such, with portable cooking facilities etc., particularly in the same spot for several days.

Yes and no. In any case, I would not encourage roughing it or sleeping outdoors (with or without a tent) along the Camino. You may get fined and it definitely is not fair for the locals, no matter how clean we are.

Cheers.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Too bad. Living here, I was definitely under a different impression, and that at the moment no travel of any kind (except for work, medical, etc... was allowed between Autonomous Communities). Indeed, only 3 pilgrims requested their Compostelas in February, two starting in Portugal and one in Galicia (O Cebreiro).



True, and at a regional level across Spain. Hard to keep up with the updates though. I'm off to Extremadura tomorrow just because its opened its perimeter and the town lockdowns as well.



Absolutely, and it's crazy. I can visit Andorra (though not ski) without any problems, but I cannot go to Toledo. Portugal has closed and opened its borders intermittently.



Yes and no. In any case, I would not encourage roughing it or sleeping outdoors (with or without a tent) along the Camino. You may get fined and it definitely is not fair for the locals, no matter how clean we are.

Cheers.

Your last point about sleeping outdoors on the Camino. You won't get fined and I don't understand why it is unfair on the locals. I have camped both with and without a tent on the camino's for years and never had a problem. In fact out of 8 caminos I would say I slept outside around a third of nights spent there. And the locals have all been supportive as have the police. I have not had one negative experience. Just don't litter or light a fire (ever) and you are fine. I wouldn't do it now under present conditions though.

Davey

 

[JabbaPapa]

If it's just finding somewhere unobtrusive and discreet to bunk down with your sleeping bag, preferably out of the way and not on any farmer's field or other obvious private property, it's very unlikely anyone will bother you.

Not so if you try the same in the middle of town or in open abuse of somebody's land property.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Indeed, only 3 pilgrims requested their Compostelas in February, two starting in Portugal and one in Galicia (O Cebreiro).

Unsurprising, given that nearly every Galician Municipality was in particular lockdown during February.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Your last point about sleeping outdoors on the Camino. You won't get fined and I don't understand why it is unfair on the locals. I have camped both with and without a tent on the camino's for years and never had a problem. In fact out of 8 caminos I would say I slept outside around a third of nights spent there. And the locals have all been supportive as have the police. I have not had one negative experience. Just don't litter or light a fire (ever) and you are fine. I wouldn't do it now under present conditions though.

Davey

first of all, yes, you can get fined. you probably won't, that's true. spaniards are pretty nice, even the police and guardia civil; but, if something is illegal, just because you are not sure it's illegal, is not an excuse.

but much more problematic is the issue of common courtesy. around 350,000 pilgrims requested their compostela in 2019. there were probably at least another 100,000 on the road that did not request their compostela. the vast majority walking between early june and early september.
can you imagine if we all camped? can you imagine the mess, the faeces, the litter (no matter how careful), and how quickly the locals would rightly get very fed up and upset with us. we are not entitled to behave differently because we are walking to santiago, we don't have special privileges (apart from access to municipal hostels).
anyway, this is my opinion and most likely you (and others) will disagree, which is cool. Buen Camino

 

[JabbaPapa]

There's an article in El Pais on this very topic.

Spain: closed to domestic tourism but open to Europeans

While regional borders remain largely sealed, 274,242 foreign travelers arrived in January thanks to different rules adopted by central and regional authorities

english.elpais.com

In the current legal framework, regional authorities may close their own borders to all but essential domestic travel. But they do not have the ability to deny entry to European travelers through international borders such as airports or ports, which are centrally managed. It is up to the government of Spain to make that decision, but so far it has not done so, with exceptions for a ban on non-essential travel from the United Kingdom and from non-EU countries.

The only condition that was introduced for passengers arriving by air or sea was a PCR test, although this was not required of people coming in by land. That is to say, nothing was stopping a German citizen from entering Spain through, for example, the city of Palma on the island of Mallorca. The only thing that has prevented more Europeans from coming to Spain is the fact that their countries of origin have significantly restricted outbound travel for leisure purposes.

So, given the exception for foot pilgrim travel ONLY between Castilla y León and Galicia that I have mentioned, it is legally possible for someone travelling from an EU country without travel restrictions (so France yes, Italy no) with a recent negative PCR test to walk a Camino either in Galicia alone, or Castilla y León and Galicia. Avoiding all locked-down Municipalities, and following all Covid rules of course, including numerical limitation on gathering in groups.

All I'm saying is that it's legal ; but this does NOT constitute any manner of advice. Just that technically, the Camino has reopened to a minimal degree.

 

[jungleboy]

Another relevant article in El País (English edition), published yesterday:

Why Spain is heading toward an Easter week with no inter-regional travel

Spain is approaching an Easter week with restrictions on movement between regions in place. The majority of regional governments are in favor of leaving perimetral lockdowns of their territories in place.

 

[Mark L]

Below is a map of Spain divided into its autonomous regions*.

* All the regions in the TWO DARK blues have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. This means you CANNOT ENTER or LEAVE the region unless you have a valid reason, such as work or medical issues. The darkest blue also indicates that within the region there are municipalities under lockdown as well.
* The two LIGHT blues indicate that the region does NOT have a perimeter LOCKDOWN. NONE of the autonomous communities that the FRENCH WAY (classic Camino) crosses are in LIGHT BLUES.
*To all effects, the CAMINO IS CLOSED right now in Spain, unless you are starting and walking in Galicia (ie. According to the Pilgrim's Office, 3 pilgrims arrived to Santiago in February)
This map may change by the start of the Camino season (April), although it is unlikely that all the lockdowns will disappear before May 9th, which is when the current state of alarm ends.

*Source: Ministry of Health. Government of Spain. March 1st, 2021.

So you know what ?
thanks for that. It isn’t what anyone hoped for right now but what it is, is what it is and frankly this isn’t a time to be all about personal entitlement.

im sure I’m not the only person here thinking “when i can, without hurting others, then I will“

Camino : it’s been going on for a while now so isn’t likely to end through these disturbances. the rhythm and beat of the days beckon but itll be later.

Meantime, please stay safe, respect science a bit and consider consequences to others

having said that, missing it myself

 

[Mark L]

Too bad. Living here, I was definitely under a different impression, and that at the moment no travel of any kind (except for work, medical, etc... was allowed between Autonomous Communities). Indeed, only 3 pilgrims requested their Compostelas in February, two starting in Portugal and one in Galicia (O Cebreiro).



True, and at a regional level across Spain. Hard to keep up with the updates though. I'm off to Extremadura tomorrow just because its opened its perimeter and the town lockdowns as well.



Absolutely, and it's crazy. I can visit Andorra (though not ski) without any problems, but I cannot go to Toledo. Portugal has closed and opened its borders intermittently.



Yes and no. In any case, I would not encourage roughing it or sleeping outdoors (with or without a tent) along the Camino. You may get fined and it definitely is not fair for the locals, no matter how clean we are.

Cheers.

What possible relevance does camping have to the highlighted post or more importantly the OP .... which is entirely about current effective closure.

Every time anyone even mentions pretty much anything that May have “camping/wild camping“ in it, immediately the posts go down the negative camping channel ... and it appears it is even negative to ops that do not in any way mention camping .... based on this response

i really don’t get it,

The OP is nothing to do with camping
Why do people hate camping anyway (when it could be done legally).... and why also, when it is isn’t relevant to the original post ?
why is the reaction to it so vitriolic when anyone attempts to get it discussed in any post ?

ps. These are rhetorical questions for outside consideration here and not to be replied to in a thread that bears no relationship to them.

i Just really do not understand why this again took a chunk of an unrelated OP.
i further don’t understand why the people here, despite professing being a pilgrim, seem to want to judge, criticise, demean a group of other pilgrims who would consider independent camping. I’m not saying wild camping, just camp sites. After all nobody Is demanding other have to join those people

 

[henrythedog]

What possible relevance does camping have to the highlighted post or more importantly the OP .... which is entirely about current effective closure.

Every time anyone even mentions pretty much anything that May have “camping/wild camping“ in it, immediately the posts go down the negative camping channel ... and it appears it is even negative to ops that do not in any way mention camping .... based on this response

i really don’t get it,

The OP is nothing to do with camping
Why do people hate camping anyway (when it could be done legally).... and why also, when it is isn’t relevant to the original post ?
why is the reaction to it so vitriolic when anyone attempts to get it discussed in any post ?

ps. These are rhetorical questions for outside consideration here and not to be replied to in a thread that bears no relationship to them.

i Just really do not understand why this again took a chunk of an unrelated OP.
i further don’t understand why the people here, despite professing being a pilgrim, seem to want to judge, criticise, demean a group of other pilgrims who would consider independent camping. I’m not saying wild camping, just camp sites. After all nobody Is demanding other have to join those people

It’s OK, nobody got hurt - it’s just the way that threads drift sometimes.

I’m certain that your ‘harm no other, that shall be the extent of the law’ philosophy (credit: A Crowley, if memory serves) is shared by most here.

 

[Michelle Hansen Finholm]

no, the vaccination does not allow you to breach regional perimeter lockdowns. that might happen by summer. apparently we can still spread the virus after getting vaccinated and not getting sick.

however, i would rather not engage in another covid debate; the point of the original post was to offer an overview of the current situation in spain regarding travel within spain. i live here, so i hope to be back on the camino asap and avoiding air travel. cheers

We all appreciate your information so very much.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Whatever else, the State of Alarm is set to end on May 9th, after which the regional lockdowns will no longer be possible legally.

But there is a chance that they will generally be lifted on April 9th -- except possibly in Catalonia, which has wanted tougher measures since the start of this (for instance Catalonia still has internal municipal lockdowns in place 'til March 15th, unlike other Regions in Spain).

However, this will not necessarily change the travel restrictions into Spain from non-EU countries ; nor from EU countries having their own restrictions still in place.