San Sebastián Coronavirus Update June 2021

It’s time for another coronavirus update from where I sit here in San Sebastián.

I’ve been getting tons of questions from every inbox about what the situation is here in San Sebastián, and Spain in general. Overall, things are evolving positively. Each bit of news is hopeful, each update on restrictions slightly eases the chokehold that the F&B, hotel, tourism and culture industries have been on. New daily cases in San Sebastián have been in the teens lately, which is fantastic.

As of last week, June 7, restrictions for travel to Spain were also lifted, making it possible for vaccinated and tested people from most of the world to now visit Spain for any reason, an announcement which brought a lot of joy to a lot of people.

SAN SEBASTIÁN CORONAVIRUS JUNE 2021

OBLIGATORY MASKS IN EUSKADI

It is still obligatory to wear a mask at all times. As of early November, that goes for activities that used to be exempt from mask wearing, such as exercising. That said, things are laxer than ever, and most people are out running with their masks around their chins.

RESTAURANT & BARS RE-OPENED

Restaurants and bars are back to being open for dinner, and the limitation of opening hours has also been relaxed in recent weeks. Now bars are allowed to stay open as late as 2am. However, you must be seated at all times.

The only lingering rule putting a dent in everyone’s plans is the limit of 4 people per table, a holdover that has not bee lifted.

CURFEW RESTRICTIONS

Curfew is no more! People can come and go as they please.

MUNICIPALITY CLOSINGS

There are no closed borders at the moment.

NEW CASES

New cases are low around here. Last week daily new cases were in the teens in San Sebastián.

SAN SEBASTIÁN PINTXO BARS POST-CORONAVIRUS

By this time, even the bars slowest to open have raised their persiana, as they say. So how on earth are people able to “do” pintxos in this new atmosphere? Bars have come up with as many “solutions” as there are different pintxos. Some of my favorites? Square panes of glass that hang from the ceiling, perpendicular to the bar, every two or three feet, to create little feeding stalls. Big glass vitrines that show off the pintxos as if they were beautiful cakes. Everyone has opted to cover pintxos, whether in the same old vitrine they had from back in the day, when the town hall forbade pintxos out in the open air, or on glass cake stands, or in square cubes.

In most pintxo bars, you have to eat seated, so the ambience is pretty much totally different. The town hall has loosened restrictions on terraces, so there is more outdoor seating, spreading out wide across the sidewalks.

SAN SEBASTIÁN BEACHES POST-CORONAVIRUS

Beaches are open. You must wear your mask to the beach. You are allowed to take the mask off when you are lying on your towel, sunbathing, or going to go for a swim.

TRAVEL TO SAN SEBASTIÁN POST-CORONAVIRUS

Flights have been reduced greatly in number. If you land in Spain from an international flight, you will be required to show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR, and a QR code that shows you have registered with the authorities. ***UPDATE*** Spain no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test. However, the airlines are inventing their own rules, as is the case with KLM (my experience on July 11), and require proof of vaccination or negative test for travel to Spain unless you are an EU resident (or other few scattered exceptions). ATM I would just get a test if I were unvaccinated and traveling.

Did I leave you with more questions than answers? Comment here and I will try to help!