Spain: Regional health officials in Madrid, Basque Country, and Valencia increase coronavirus-related localized movement restrictions, from Jan. 25 /update 34

Regional authorities in Madrid, Basque Country, and Valencia, Spain, increase coronavirus-related localized movement restrictions, Jan. 25.

Event

As part of ongoing efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), regional governments in Spain have increased localized movement restrictions. Health officials in Madrid announced more perimeter-based or inter-regional lockdowns, which will now be applied to 56 basic health zones and 25 municipalities from Jan. 25. Authorities in the Basque Country said they will seal off the region’s 252 municipalities beginning on Jan. 25. Additionally, social gatherings will be limited to four people. The Valencian government is preparing a decree that will forbid members of different households from meeting inside homes. Exceptions will be made for people who need to provide care, cohabitants who do not live under the same roof, and elderly people who live by themselves and may stay with family members. It is unclear when the decree will go into effect; however, authorities have described the decree as "imminent"

Previously imposed nationwide measures remain in effect. Spanish authorities have extended their existing ban on air and sea passenger travel with the UK until at least 1800 Feb. 2 in reaction to the discovery of a new variant of COVID-19 in the UK. Spanish nationals and residents are exempt from the ban.

With regard to other international travel, most arrivals from outside the EEA are prohibited, except for those from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, and Uruguay. Exceptions are in place for EEA nationals or residents, health care workers, goods and transport workers, other essential work, students, and for urgent family reasons. All permitted travelers arriving via air are required to fill out the government's Health Control Form within 48 hours prior to arrival. After filling out the form, travelers will receive a Quick Response Code (QR) that they must show at the port of entry. Travelers from countries designated as high risk by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) must possess a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. The document must be in Spanish or English and can be submitted in either electronic or paper format. Passengers who attempt to travel without this documentation may be prohibited from boarding by the travel provider. Individuals who arrive in Spain without the negative test result or while displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be required to take a test on arrival. The ECDC updates its country risk assessments on a weekly basis.

Domestic COVID-19 measures also remain in place. A nationwide state of emergency is in effect until at least May 9 empowering the government to limit certain rights guaranteed under the nation's constitution. Accordingly, social gatherings are limited to six people and a 2300-0600 curfew is in effect nationwide. Regional governments have the authority to amend and impose additional restrictions; as a result, curfew hours and limits on social gatherings vary between regions. Additionally, many regions have imposed local entry and exit restrictions at either regional or municipal levels, permitting travel out of the locality for essential reasons only. A summary of restrictions by region is available on the Spanish Ministry of Health website.

Regional authorities have also implemented tighter restrictions on gatherings and businesses in their jurisdictions. Where businesses are permitted to remain open, they must implement strict hygiene and social distancing measures. Nationwide, facemasks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces and in outdoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained; some regional authorities require facemasks in all indoor and outdoor public spaces.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.