Spain: Authorities lift quarantine measures for arrivals from UK June 21 /update 31

Event

On Saturday, June 20, Spain's foreign ministry announced that tourists arriving from the UK will be able to visit the country without undergoing quarantine on arrival from Sunday, June 21. Arrivals will instead have to provide their contact details, inform officials of their country of origin, and undergo a temperature check. The decision has been made to help the tourism sector recover following closures during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and out of respect for the 400,00 Britons who have second homes in Spain. At present, however, anyone arriving in the UK from Spain still has to self-isolate for 14 days, although it is understood this decision will be reviewed on June 29.

On Sunday, June 14, Spanish authorities announced that they will reopen its borders to countries from the EU Schengen area from June 21, in the latest easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Portugal remains the lone exception to the reopening as people will be allowed to enter across its borders with Spain from July 1. The Spanish government has also scrapped a previous plan to require arriving international tourists to self-quarantine for 14 days on arrival. As part of a test program, the Balearic Islands was to reopen to tourist arrivals from Monday, June 15.

As of June 20, health authorities have confirmed 245,398 cases of COVID-19 in the country, including 28,322 associated deaths. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the general risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.