UK & Spain Travel Requirements Tighten Due To Omicron Scare

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021 Madrid Metropolitan SPAIN COVID NEWS

Both the UK and Spanish governments have announced an immediate tightening of travel restrictions due to the Omicron variant whose discovery last week in South Africa has caused alarm bells to go off across the globe.

Spain recorded its first case yesterday, Monday 29th November, when a 51-year old traveller from Amsterdam was tested positive at Barajas Airport.

The patient is reported to be in quarantine with light symptoms.

From tomorow, Wednesday 1st December, all travellers ( over the age of 12) arriving in Spain from the UK will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

In addition the vaccination needes to have been administered at least 14 days prior to arrival with a vaccine authorised by the either the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Until now, Spain had waived vaccination requirements and requiring only a negative test made within 72 hours prior to travel.

Spain is also joining other EU countries in suspending flights from South Africa and other southern African countries later today.

The UK now joins the list of non-EU countries where passengers are required to be fully vaccinated such as Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, UAE, Uruguay and China.

The UK government has also announced new measures to tighten travel restrictions.

The British Embassy facebook page said:” In response to the identification of a new COVID variant, both the UK and Spanish Governments have announced some changes to entry requirements for travellers”.

The embassy statement continued: ” Yesterday, the Spanish Government published a change to the rules on entry to Spain from the UK. From 00:00 on Wednesday 1 December, proof of being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival will be required to enter Spain for all travellers over the age of 12.

A negative COVID test alone will no longer allow entry. There are some exemptions, including for residents of Spain and children under 12.

The UK Prime Minister has also announced a change to the requirements for entering the UK.

From 04:00 on Tuesday 30 November, all international arrivals will have to take a PCR test before the end of Day 2 and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

CLICK HERE ON SPAIN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS