The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has published a decalogue with recommendations for responsible visits to the natural spaces and protected areas of Spain, the country with the most biodiversity in Europe, in the new normal.

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has published a decalogue with recommendations for responsible visits to the natural spaces and protected areas of Spain, the country with the most biodiversity in Europe. With this guide, MITECO encourages people to reconnect with nature in the new normal, a practice that is beneficial for both the health of citizens and the local economy.

Natural environments play a fundamental role in Spanish tourism, since in addition to having a high landscape value, they also help to promote health and prevent diseases. To this end, MITECO establishes a series of guidelines that guarantee the safety of citizens and the environment, recommending that physical distancing measures are respected, visits are organised in advance, crowds are avoided and due precautions are maintained.

The interactive guide is available for download on the MITECO website and can be shared on social networks.

The text recommends preparing the visits, checking the situation of the chosen destination in advance to make sure which areas and services will be available, in addition to booking and respecting the permitted capacity.

In addition, visitors are urged to keep social distancing and take all possible precautions to prevent COVID-19. If visiting a protected area, you must follow the instructions of the responsible personnel and follow the safety instructions that are established. You should also bring hand sanitizer, in case water is not available, and a mask.

Another point recommends that people who are unwell or have been sick or exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days, should not leave home, or go on excursions or visit natural spaces. Many spaces have virtual tour tools thanks to which it is also possible, from home, to get closer to nature until your personal situation allows you to move to those spaces. If you feel unwell or have symptoms of illness during the visit, you should return home as soon as possible and go to a health center.

In these last months of the pandemic, nature has had a respite from human activity. For this reason, MITECO advises us that our visits are respectful and do not disturb the flora and fauna. If you travel or drive on roads, extreme caution must be exercised, as the animals have become unaccustomed to human presence.

Another point of the decalogue suggests that those who visit natural areas help the local economy, trying to choose local companies in the nearby environment to rest, taste the local gastronomy, take guided tours and buy local products.