Spain Abolishes Ban on British Travellers, Strict Rules Remain

The Spanish government has announced that it has lifted some restrictions on flying from the United Kingdom to Spain’s territory after taking into account the COVID-19 situation on the latter.

Simultaneously, Spain has extended restrictions to arrive from Brazil and South Africa until April 13, in a bid to prevent a surge in the number of infections due to the Holy Week, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

“The extension of flight restrictions is maintained with South Africa and Brazil, not with the United Kingdom. The situation concerning the Schengen Area can now be normalized,” the Government spokeswoman María Jesús Montero pointed out.

However, Britons seeking to enter Spain will be subject to strict rules. They will have to present a negative result of the Coronavirus test not older than 72 hours. The exact requirement is applied to all European countries.

Regarding the changes the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an update, which among others, includes the removal of information on restrictions before March 30.

Citizens of the United Kingdom will be permitted to enter Spain only for a set list of reasons, despite the removal of entry restrictions applied on the latter.

According to FCDO’s statement, the country’s borders remain open to EU and Schengen Zone countries. Still, some testing requirements and entry restrictions may be in place “depending on the country you are travelling from.”

“From the November 23 2020, pre-travel COVID-19 testing requirements are in place for those travelling by air and sea from ‘risk’ countries (as determined by the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control),” the FCDO states.

Several restrictions imposed on travellers from countries outside the European Union and the Schengen Zone continue to be kept in place.

“Passenger travel from the UK to Spain is restricted to EU and Schengen associated state citizens, those who are legally resident in the EU or in Schengen associated states or those passengers who can demonstrate that their journey is essential,” FCDO has announced.

Besides, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has emphasized that all travellers are obliged to present a negative result of PCR, TMA or LAMP swab test, not older than 72 hours, upon their arrival.

Spain’s government previously announced that it prolonged restrictions applied on non-essential travel from countries of the European Union and Schengen Area until the end of this month to stop the virus’s further spread.