Spain: Authorities ease domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of May 9 /update 49

Spain eases domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of May 9; international entry restrictions remain in effect.

Event

The Spanish government allowed the nationwide state of emergency to expire May 9, ending mandatory nightly curfews, regional travel restrictions, and limits on gatherings. From this date, regional authorities are responsible for setting their own restrictions, though they must appeal to local courts for authority to impose curfews and travel restrictions. As a result, most regions have lifted these measures while imposing varying restrictions on business opening hours and limits on gatherings. Many regions continue to impose localized lockdowns for areas with particularly high rates of infection. The Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and Navarre are maintaining the 23:00-06:00 curfew while in Valencia the curfew will run 00:01-06:00. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed and crowded outdoor public spaces nationwide.

International Entry Restrictions
Existing entry bans on nonresident foreign nationals from Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Comoros, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will remain in force until May 31. Spanish residents arriving from these locations must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival. The self-isolation period can be shortened on confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test result on the seventh day. Freight, transporters, aircrews, and persons in transit whose final destination is a non-Schengen country are also exempt.

A ban on nonessential travel from countries outside the EU and Schengen Area also remains in effect until May 31. Under this directive, most international travelers arriving from outside the EEA, except for those from Australia, China, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and Thailand, are prohibited from entering Spain. Exceptions are in place for EEA nationals or residents, healthcare workers, and freight transport workers, as well as other essential workers, students, and those traveling for urgent family reasons.

The land border between Spain and Portugal reopened for regular travel as of April 30; air travel between the two countries remains restricted to essential travel only.

All permitted travelers arriving by air must fill out the government's Health Control Form within 48 hours prior to arrival. After filling out the form, travelers will receive a QR Code 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 can be submitted in either electronic or paper format and must be in Spanish, English, French, or German; it can be submitted in other languages only if accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. 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 the country risk assessments on a weekly basis.

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

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.