COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS) TRAVEL NEWS

11th November 2020

From November 23rd, the Spanish government will ask passengers for a PCR negative test result made in the last 72 hours before arriving.

This measure will only be applied for those people coming from countries listed by the EU with a high risk of infection.

A map of risk areas will be provided soon by the European Centre for Disease Prevention.

Valencian Community -  Extension to restriction of movement

One week extension in the Valencian Community.

Sr. Ximo Puig has just announced that until November 20th the borders of the Valencian Community will remain closed.  All previous restrictions and exemptions are carried forward with the new extension.

30th October 2020

Valencian Community - Restriction of Movement.

President of the Valencian Community, Sr. Ximo Puig has announced that from today for 7 days the "borders" of the community will be closed to people from other communities.

Residents in this community will be able to move freely among the 3 provinces; Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón.

The restriction of movement could be extended if necessary.

This is not a total lockdown and people arriving at Alicante or Valencia Airports will still be able to travel to Javea and other areas within the Valencian Community. (curfew from 00.00 to 06.00 is still in force and travel between these time is only allowed under certain exceptions).

State Of Alarm 

With regard to the State of Alarm this has been ratified as lasting until 9th May 2021.  However there is a possibility that this may be rescinded by the courts as it is believed that the Government has acted outside it's powers. Under constitutional rules, the courts maintain that the State of Alarm can only be implemented for a period of 15 days at a time,  though this can continue to be extended by 15 day periods.

25th October 2020 

A new State of Alarm has been declared until midnight on 8th November 2020, with the intention of extending until 9th May 2021 if needed and ratified when voted on by congress this week.

Spain has not gone onto lock-down at this stage but the State of Alarm was necessary for the Autonomous regions to implement special measures to stem the spread of the virus. 

Some measures in the State of Alarm apply to the country nationally but the autonomous regions can implement additional or amend  rules providing they dont contradict those in the new Royal decree.

For the Valencia region the main rules that have been implemented  are:

1. Curfew from 00.00 to 06.00. (with certain exceptions eg night workers  urgent medical attention  etc)

2. Restrictions on travel between autonomous regions  (again with certain exceptions)

3. Maximum of 6 people in a group whether public or private, closed or outdoors.  Exception is in the case of cohabitants. 

14th August 2020

The Government and the Autonomous Communities have agreed on a series of prevention and containment measures for # COVID19. For its entry into force, the Autonomous Communities must approve the corresponding legal provisions.

To try and avoid further ‘brotes/spikes’ to occur and to contain existing ones, Health Minister Illa announced this afternoon that the health authorities in all the Autonomous Communities have unanimously decided on the implementation of the following measures, effective immediately .

Measures:
* Night clubs, discos etc. will remain closed
* Bars, restaurants etc. will close at 01.00 AM, no new customers allowed entrance after midnight. Customers at the bar need to keep a social distance of at least 1,5 m. Same distance between tables and customers. Groups consisting of 10 people maximum.
* Every cultural event will be evaluated according to a set series of criteria, to decide whether it can take place or not.
* More PCR tests being carried out at socio-sanitary centres, like residencies for elderly. E.g. for employees returning to work and new residents.
* Alcohol consumption in the street is strictly forbidden and authorities are to uphold the rule and apply strict sanctions.
* Smoking in the open air, terraces etc. and public road in general. Not allowed if not keeping at least a distance of 2 meter to other people. The same goes for vaping and water pipes.

Recommendations:
* As few contacts with people outside direct family group as possible. Any social gatherings to limit to max. of 10 people.

The Declaration of Coordinated Actions will remain in force until it is expressly revoked by the Minister of Health, with the prior agreement of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, with a prior hearing of all autonomous communities and cities.

8th August 2020 

Despite what the Media are reporting  their is absolutely no evidence to support their claim that Spain will be going into Lockdown now or at any time in the near future. The gutter press are falsely reporting this totally unfounded story in social media purely to obtain clicks to appease their advertisers and earn revenue for themselves. The only trusted source of information is the Government website, if there is any further update to the situation, it will be reported here after confirmation from Government sources and official translations.

27th July 2020

From 27 July, the FCO advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country.

This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of COVID-19 across Spain.

The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time. Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus.

If you are returning from Spain you will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK, but the FCO is not advising you to cut short your visit. You should contact your tour operator or airline if you have any questions about your return journey.

26th July 2020

 Update to the UK advisory Travel Restrictions:

The President of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig , has asked the United Kingdom to exclude the Valencian province from the compulsory quarantines of fourteen days announced yesterday.  He has demanded special attention for the coast of the province of Alicante, where there is a lot of British tourism. In addition, the head of the Council has reminded  Boris Johnson that the incidence of the Corona virus in the Valencian Community is much lower than in Britain. "The decision does not seem justified with the objective data available right now," said Puig .
Thus , the President expressed concern about the quarantine and the effect it can have on the tourism sector, which was running at half speed following a summer campaign which started late and with far less influx of tourists. Puig said he had begun negotiations with the British ambassador to the state, Hugh  Elliot and the Spanish Ministry of Industry.

https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/puig-pais-valencia-fora-quarantena-regne-unit/

26th July 2020

UPDATE  FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT ON TRAVEL TO SPAIN AND BACK TO THE UK.

From 25 July, the FCO advises against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain based on the current assessment of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) risks. 

This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) in several regions, but particularly in Aragon, Navarra and Catalonia (which include the cities of Zaragoza, Pamplona and Barcelona). 

The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time. Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus. Quarantine will apply to those entering UK from Spain on or after 26 July. 

If you are returning from holidays in Spain (including from the Balearics and Canaries) on or after 26 July you will be required to quarantine on your return to the UK, but the FCO is not advising you to cut short your visit. You should contact your tour operator or airline if you have any questions about your return journey.

PHE are continuing to monitor the situation in the Balearic and Canary Islands closely. Travellers there should continue to check this advice regularly.

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/citizensinspain 

(NOTE: The FCO are only advising against travel and holidays in Spain, its not mandatory.  Before travelling check insurance policies are still in force. The UK Government have issued the advisory notice against travel across  the whole of Spain even though Spain is twice the area of UK, has lower incidence rates and enforces stricter measures to control Covid-19 (Corona Virus). UK Government are unable to enforce the wearing of masks, so unlikely to enforce quarantine in any form)