When are children required to wear a mask in the car or bus? 2026

The use of the mask has become mandatory in any closed space, and also public even if the safety social distance of one and a half meters is met, throughout Spain with one objective: as a prevention and hygiene measure after the constant increase in Covid-19 infections in recent weeks. Its use is mandatory in the population from the age of six, although it is also advisable for children between three and five years old.

Specifically, the Government details that "it is mandatory to use it on public roads or open-air spaces even if the interpersonal distance of less than 1.5 meters can be maintained, in closed spaces for public use or that are open to the public even if the interpersonal safety distance can be maintained; and in the transport of travelers (means of air, sea, bus, or rail transport, as well as in complementary public and private transport of travelers in vehicles with up to nine seats, including the driver, if the occupants of the tourist vehicles do not live in the same home).

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On the other hand, according to the rule, "in private private and complementary private transportation of people in vehicles with up to nine seats, including the driver, as many people may travel as there are seats in the vehicle, as long as they all reside at the same address." So, in this case, it would not be necessary for children to wear the mask when traveling with their parents or grandparents, for example, if they live under the same roof.

What's more, there are many families who are already preparing for the return to school and are not very clear about how to take their children, how they will travel more safely and, above all, they are overcome by the fear of contagion both in class and in the family environment and that this could have an impact on the education of the children, the work of the parents, and even the health of the grandparents.

Therefore, two things must be very clear, as previously specified in the standard: if the parents are the ones who decide to take them to school, they will not have to wear the mask, although to access the center they must wear it from the age of six. If, on the other hand, your children will travel on school transport or public transport, it will always be mandatory for them to wear a mask. And non-compliance will be considered a minor infraction and punished with a fine of up to 100 euros.

The exceptions

Even so, it should be noted that this rule includes several exceptions in which the use of the mask is exempt, regardless of the location. Only "people with illness or respiratory difficulty, people with disabilities or dependency who do not have the autonomy to remove the mask or present behavioral alterations that make its use unfeasible, due to force majeure or a situation of necessity, or when carrying out activities with which it is incompatible", are excluded. However, the most important thing to combat this situation is the responsibility of each and every one of us: respect the rules and always use the mask and practice correct hygiene. Together we will achieve it!