Holidaymakers in Barcelona will no longer have to contend with cigarette butts or passive smoke starting in July when Spain's second largest city will ban smoking on all its beaches. Authorities in the Spanish city said the move follows a pilot project last year when smoking was outlawed on four of the city's 10 local beaches.
A statement said: "Beaches with no smoking allowed will offer healthier communal living areas, with less waste and will respect the defence of environment."
Several Spanish regions imposed bans in 2020 to clamp down on the spread of Covid-19, while others like the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, had already adopted the measure before the pandemic for environmental reasons. The Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia and Valencia have all introduced partial or total bans of smoking on their beaches.
Earlier this week, Spain’s health minister announced the government wanted to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transport and medical centres after Easter, when many residents travel and see their families. Carolina Darias said on Wednesday she will bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious Omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
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