Spain holidays: FCDO travel warning as UK flights ban extended for Spain & Canary Islands
Spain announce travel ban for UK flights amid coronavirus strain
Spain holidays are currently off the cards for those in the UK. The country is currently absent from the travel corridor list, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warning against all but essential travel to Spain and the Balearic islands. What’s more, to throw even more restrictions into the mix, Spain won’t let the vast majority of Britons in until mid-January.
The country is banning flights from the UK as well as sea arrivals after a mutant strain of coronavirus was identified in Britain.
Spain previously said this embargo would end on January 5.
However, this date has now been extended until January 19.
The FCDO updated its travel advice for the country today.
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Spain FCDO travel advice
“Spain have announced they will be restricting passenger travel from the UK (by air and sea) from December 22 until January 19 with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain,” said the FCDO.
“This includes flights from the UK to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands.
“If you were due to travel to Spain please contact your travel operator before departure.”
The authority also recently updated its advice to reflect new Brexit changes.
“If you are resident in Spain, you should carry your residence document (the green paper EU residence certificate or the new TIE), as well as your valid passport when you travel,” the FCDO detailed.
“The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that whilst these restrictions are in place only those residents who can prove their status as residents through the green paper EU residence certificate or the TIE card may enter Spain.”
Anyone who does travel to Spain must be aware of the covid test requirements.
The FCDO detailed: “All passengers (excluding children under the age of six years old) travelling to Spanish airports from ‘risk’ countries, as determined by the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control are required to present a negative PCR, TNA or LAMP test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, in order to enter the country.
“While TMA and LAMP tests are not currently widely available in the UK, you should refer to testing facilities directly for information on the types of tests available to you, prior to booking an appointment.
“The UK is currently on the ‘risk’ countries list and passengers arriving from the UK are therefore subject to this requirement.”
However, the Foreign Office urged Britons not to use the NHS for tests for travel. You should book a private test, instead.
Further admin is also required to travel to Spain.
The FCDO said: “It is mandatory for all passengers travelling by air or sea to Spain to fill out and sign an online Health Control Form 48 hours prior to travel, providing the Spanish Ministry of Health with:
- contact information
- details of any known history of exposure to COVID-19, and
- confirmation that you are able to provide evidence (electronically or hardcopy) that you have undertaken a PCR, TMA or LAMP test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival and have tested negative for COVID-19.
“You can do this on the Spain Travel Health website or downloadable app. On completion, you will be issued a personal and non-transferable QR code which you must show (electronically or hardcopy) at airport health controls on arrival.”
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