HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Spain has removed the United States from its list of third countries, where travellers do not have to meet the standard Covid-19 travel restrictions for non-EU/EEA arrivals. This move was made by the Spanish Health Ministry on Friday, September 3.

This is a big change for Americans, who in late June 2021 saw the United States added to Spains ‘low-risk non-EU/EEA’ travel list. This decision was made to help boost the Spanish tourism sector, and because the US was in a more favourable epidemiological position at the time.

So for the last two and a half months, they have been able to travel to Spain for non-essential reasons without showing a negative Covid test or proof of being fully vaccinated. All they have been required to provide is the health control form that is compulsory for all international travellers arriving in Spain.

However, the move will see Spain now join the ranks of other European countries that are reinstating definitive entry requirements for all non-essential American tourists, due to the Delta variant of Covid that is currently sweeping across the US.

According to Reuters, the US is now at the top of the list of countries that are reporting the highest number of daily new cases and deaths each day.

Figures for the last seven-day rolling figures show that the US has seen 163,816 new infections, or 349 cases per 100,000 citizens daily.

These figures come as Spain sees its average number of cases come in at only 198 cases per 100,000 people. Spain's infection rate is also only at 18 per cent of its peak and falling, compared to the US who is recording 65 per cent of its peak infection period which is still rising.

Commencing today September 6, Spanish authorities will require American visitors to provide evidence of either having been fully vaccinated, a certificate of recovery or a negative Covid-19 test to enter into the country.

Molecular NAAT, such as a PCR test, must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain. Antigen tests can however be taken no more than 48 hours before arrival.

Certificates proving recovery from the virus are valid from 12 to 180 days from the date that the first positive test result was given. Children under 12 however, are exempt from these requirements.

All international travellers, no matter what country they are from, are required to complete the Spain Travel Health Control form. The form provides a QR code that is needed to board the aeroplane, as well as upon arrival in Spain.

The form can either be acquired through the Spain Travel Portal or downloaded as the ‘SpTH’ via Google Play or the App Store.

The US Embassy and Consulate in Spain and Andorra are warning US travellers that they should expect longer waiting times at customs and border control as Spain starts to apply the new rules.

The list of third countries whose travellers arriving in Spain, do not have to meet the normal Covid non-EU/EEA travel restrictions, at present include Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Republic of Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea and Qatar.

Source

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/impacting-travel/spain-reinstates-entry-restrictions-for-us-travelers.html
https://www.thelocal.es/20210906/spain-removes-us-from-restriction-free-travel-list/