Spain: Authorities extend coronavirus-related ban on passenger travel with UK until Feb. 16 /update 35

Spain extends travel ban with UK until at least Feb. 16; other COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

Event

Spanish authorities have extended their existing ban on air and sea passenger travel with the UK until at least 1800 Feb. 16 as part of efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the measure had originally been due to expire Feb. 2. Spanish, and Andorran nationals and residents are exempt from the ban, which was imposed Dec. 22 in reaction to the discovery of a new variant of COVID-19 in the UK.

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 workers, students, and those traveling 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. Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces and in outdoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained. Where businesses are permitted to remain open, they must implement strict hygiene and social distancing measures

Regional governments have the authority to amend measures and impose additional restrictions; as a result, curfew hours and limits on social gatherings vary between regions. Additionally, many local jurisdictions have imposed their own entry and exit restrictions, permitting travel out of the locality for essential reasons only. Health officials in Madrid introduced more perimeter-based or inter-regional lockdowns, which now apply to 56 basic health zones and 25 municipalities. Authorities in the Basque Country have sealed off the region’s 252 municipalities effective Jan. 25. 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.