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The coincidence of the new normality with the summer has forced many to reinvent their vacations. The journey of the Covid-19 around the world has misplaced all our plans for those days of rest . This year the term vacation needs to be redefined. And the Camino de Santiago is one more example when adapting to the needs imposed by the coronavirus.

Mask and safety distance

Although with a mask and safety distance between walkers (or bipedal pilgrims, they will be able to go back to Galicia to take the oldest, busiest and most popular route on the old continent . The idea is to follow the path of the yellow shells until you reach the Cathedral of Santiago , although with news.

Limited capacity for the Cathedral of Santiago

The capacity of the popular pilgrim mass, for example, will be limited to 75 people and on visits to the Cathedral of Santiago a maximum of 200 people will be accepted. A predetermined route must be followed in a single direction and without hugging the Apostle. The visits will take place from 09:00 hours to 19:00 hours, with the last entry at 18:45 . Even so, the tribute of the city of Santiago to the pilgrim will be as always in everything else. The faithful will be able to continue seeing how the largest censer in the world, the botafumeiro, is swayed by the spectacular Galician church.

Arrival of pilgrims to the Cathedral of Santiago.SHUTTERSTOCK

What has changed in the accommodations

The Pilgrim Service Office and most hostels, both public and private, have also been open since July 1. In these overnight stays, they will have to adapt the appropriate sanitary and hygienic measures, in addition to reducing the number of places available . It is advisable to make prior reservation of bed in the hostels. This can be done from the previous day until 1:00 p.m. on the same day. After that time, if there are free places, they will be available for pilgrims who arrive without reservation.

Safe Hostels Campaign

In some establishments, common areas such as kitchens will be limited to avoid the possibility of infections or if a microwave is used, it must be cleaned after each use. In addition, the Association of Municipalities of the Camino de Santiago also launched the Safe Hostels campaign on July 1 , advising the network of traditional and municipal shelters on the health requirements that arose after the coronavirus.

How to collect the credential

The International Pilgrim Welcome Center, the place on Carretas street where the Compostela is delivered (commonly and erroneously called Compostelana), will open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. At that time you can visit the center and request it after certifying that the Camino has been completed showing the credential.

The symbols of the oldest pilgrimage path. SHUTTERSTOCK

Which route to choose for security

As for which route to choose, it should be borne in mind that a trip between the coast and the mountains, such as the Northern Way , has nothing to do with an internal route such as the French Way. Despite the fact that all the roads reach Santiago and there are multiple options to face the trip, there are three routes that are essential for planning the novice pilgrim , since they are the most popular and busy, so finding accommodation and rest areas It will be much easier than on expert level routes.

The French Way, number one

The French Way is the quintessential route. Its starting points are located in Roncesvalles and Somport. This option used by pilgrims from all over Europe to reach Santiago is the most complete. It has a wide network of services and accommodation, as well as great historical wealth along its path. The pros of this path, the signaling system and the rest areas. The cons, that being the most popular and busy, some points are overcrowded, especially those at the end of the road, which may be a point against especially in these times of coronavirus in which crowds must be avoided.

The least traveled options

The second alternative is the Northern Way , which, unlike the French option, is less crowded. It departs from Irún and runs along the entire Asturian-Galician coast, stepping on Galician soil in Ribadeo. And if after facing the northern weather and its mountain trails, you need a lighter route , in Oviedo the path forks in two: the primitive path , which goes inland, is much shorter.

Finally, we have the Portuguese Way. This part of Lisbon and will allow you to get to know Galicia from south to north, stepping on Galician soil for the first time in Tui, you will pass through Pontevedra and towns such as Padrón before arriving in Santiago. All of these are less crowded , with which the possibility of meeting people is reduced. Whichever option you choose, what is clear is that the Camino always guarantees a vacation that leaves its mark.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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