Spain Extends UK Flight Ban As Madrid Calls For Barajas Closure

The Spanish government have extended the ban on arrivals from the UK until January 19th.

The ban extends the measures introduced on December 22nd in response to the UK health authorities release of details of a mutant form of the Covid 19.

The mutant form of coronavirus is considered to be up to 70% more infectious than the standard strain.

The ban prohibits the entry of travellers from the UK to mainland Spain as well as Balearic and Canary Islands, except to Spanish nationals and those with legal residency in Spain.

The UK Foreign Office has updated it’s travel advice for Spain including information on what documents must be carried such as the new TIE card or NIE green certificate.

There have been numerous reports of Britons claiming residency in Spain but who were turned away at the airport for not carrying the correct documents.

The Madrid regional government has called upon the central government to close Barajas Airport in order to stop the arrival of passengers arriving who carry the virus.
The Madrid health authrorities have confirmed 5 cases in the region of travellers from the UK who have subsequently tested positive for the new strain.
The Spanish airports authority AENA have also updated their travel advice page to also include the coronavirus tests that need to be taken up to 72 hours before arrival.

 

 

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