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HEALTH

Spain wants masks worn in hospitals as viruses surge

The Spanish government on Friday called for the wearing of masks to be obligatory in medical facilities as cases of flu and Covid-19 surge with the onset of winter.

Published: 6 January 2024 11:34 CET
A woman wearing a face mask leaves Torrejon de Ardoz University Hospital, near Madrid
A woman wearing a face mask leaves Torrejon de Ardoz University Hospital, near Madrid. The Spanish government is calling for the compulsory wearing of masks in medical facilities amid a surge in respiratory infections. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO

With the increase in respiratory infections, “we are calling” for the return of obligatory mask-wearing in hospitals and health centres, Health Minister Monica Garcia said on X, formerly Twitter.

The minister said she would bring up the subject on Monday at a meeting with regional representatives overseeing health issues.

READ ALSO: Respiratory infections soar in Spain over Christmas as hospitals struggle

The meeting would enable “coordinated public health action to be taken in the face of the epidemic spikes”.

The eastern region of Valencia and Catalonia, in the northeast, announced Friday that health professionals and patients would have to wear masks in medical facilities there.

The move came after doctors raised the alarm over mounting cases of flu as well as Covid and other respiratory ailments, particularly in the east of the country.

READ ALSO: Coughs, colds and flu: What to say and do if you fall sick in Spain

Spain only lifted the obligatory wearing of masks in high-risk facilities such as hospitals, retirement homes and pharmacies in July 2023.

Spaniards broadly complied with the obligation to wear masks during the Covid pandemic which saw the badly-hit nation adopt some of the strictest measures in the world to fight the virus.

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DRIVING

The illnesses and health conditions you can’t have when driving in Spain 

Spain has increased the number of illnesses and health conditions that will prevent people from legally driving or from renewing their licence from next year onwards. From mental disorders to cancer and heart problems, here’s the full list.

Published: 6 September 2024 14:51 CEST
The illnesses and health conditions you can't have when driving in Spain 

The recent update of Spain’s Traffic Law means that from 2025 a greater number of people in Spain will not be able to get behind the wheel. 

Toughening conditions for drivers based on health conditions is a measure aimed at curbing traffic accidents and road deaths. 

In the words of Spain’s Traffic Authority the DGT, “in order to get behind the wheel safely, the driver needs perceptive, cognitive and motor skills”.

The DGT has divided the health conditions that are incompatible with driving into nine categories: vascular, cardiac, psychiatric, neurological, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, oncological, chronic and degenerative. 

It’s worth noting that the level of symptoms displayed and medical reports presented can influence the decision. Not all driving bans based on illness are permanent either.

However, if the detrimental medical conditions are confirmed and long-lasting, driving for that person becomes illegal in Spain. 

They will not be able to renew their licence either in some cases, or as we will see below, a certain amount of time after their operation or illness will have to pass first.

The penalties imposed by the DGT for those who flout the rules range from €6,000 to €200.

Below is a list of the health conditions that make driving illegal in Spain, or which will result in your licence being revoked, not renewed, or at the very least keep you off the road for a period of time.

Vascular diseases 

Large vessel aneurysm or dissection: a favourable report from a specialist will be required to renew your licence, valid for between 1 and 10 years. Six months after an operation, renewals are granted for between 1 and 2 years. Drivers considered still at risk of further vascular problems will be deemed unfit. 

Ischemic attack (mini-stroke): Someone who has suffered a mini-stroke will have to wait 6 months before applying to renew their licence.  

Heart disease

Arrhythmias and surgeries involving a pacemaker, heart valve prostheses and cardiac revascularization: People who fit any of these descriptions will not be able to drive until one month after the operation, in some cases three months.

Cardiac syncope in the last six months: These people’s licences cannot be renewed, except if there is a favourable report from the cardiologist.

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) : If you suffered a heart attack, you will not be able to drive until three months after it happened and you should also wait three months before renewing your licence. This may only be extended for two or three years.

Mental disorders

Dementia, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, depression, sleep disorders, obsessive compulsive or intellectual development disorders, ADHD and alcohol or drug dependence: People who have been diagnosed with any of these conditions will not be able to drive unless the disease manifests itself in a mild manner and there is a favourable medical report that deems them fit to drive.

Neurological diseases

Loss of consciousness in the last year: Drivers who have suffered this due to neurological reasons will be considered unsuited to drive.

Epilepsy: After the first seizure or only seizure, 6 months must pass and with a favourable report presented for the person to be allowed to drive. In this case, their licence will be valid for between 1 and 10 years depending on their circumstances.

Transient ischemic attack (mild stroke): The person must wait six months before getting a medical report which if favourable allows to renew their licence for a year. 

Endocrine diseases

Treatment for diabetes, hyperthyroidism or adrenal diseases: Depending on the severity of the condition, the person’s driving licence may not be renewed. 

Diabetes: Once again, a positive medical report will be needed to renew your licence for between 1 and 5 years. 

Hypothyroidism and parathyroid disease: A doctor will have to give you the go-ahead for you to be able to renew your licence.

Digestive diseases

Nephropathy (kidney disease): A certificate of good health from your doctor will be needed to renew for between 1 and 10 years.

Kidney transplant: If six months have elapsed since the transplant and there have been no subsequent problems, a favourable report from the nephrologist allows you to drive legally in Spain.

Respiratory diseases

Chronic dyspnoea (shortness of breath): People with this condition cannot renew their driving licences in Spain.

Obstructive sleep apnoea: You can renew your licence for up to three years, but you need the go-ahead from the doctor.

Cancer

Oncological diseases: if the oncologist’s report is favourable, the validity period of a licence for a cancer sufferer in Spain is one year. When there is no evidence of cancer and no active treatment, a driving licence can be renewed for five years.

Onco-haematological disorders: As a general rule, driving licences cannot be renewed until 10 years have passed since symptoms have completely remitted for any onco-haematological cancer. However, one and three-year renewals can be offered when the oncologist gives the go-ahead. 

Other chronic and degenerative diseases

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s or rheumatoid arthritis: Spain’s DGT doesn’t allow drivers with any of these illnesses to get behind the wheel.

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