New Travel Restriction

SPN French BorderSpain has followed the UK’s lead and will require all people entering the country to spend two weeks in quarantine. China enforced this measure months ago.

This latest measure has been published in the Official State Gazette (B.O.E.) today and will come into effect on the 15th of May. It will be stay in place whilst the State of Alarm persists. The said state is set to expire on the 24th of May but the Government intends to renew it for a further 15 days at least.

The difference between the UK and Spain is that the UK hasn’t announced when it will begin or end, whereas in Spain we have a definite commencement date. The UK also has a bilateral agreement with France meaning that the citizens of both countries will not be subjected to this quarantine measure.

This quarantine measure was already a requirement for Spaniards and Italian residents returning from Italy. Now, however, it will be a required of anybody who sets foot in Spain from abroad.

However, as the State of Alarm is unlikely to continue past the end of June, this should not affect summer tourism more than it aleady is.

Another thing to take into account is that Spanish borders are already closed, so you couldn’t get in unless you are Spanish or a foreign national living here, therefore it is not as though the borders have suddenly slammed closed – the difference is, those that have been permitted to enter must now go through quarantine regardless of where they have come from.

For those that will be required to pass through 14 days quarantine, it will be the same as it was for the rest of us before Stage Zero; i.e., stay at home and only going out for food, medicine and doctor’s appointments. These trips will require obligatory mask use.

The only exemptions to this new quarantine restriction are workers who have to cross the border every day or week to carry out their job; i.e., long-distance lorry drivers, aircrews and ship crews.

Travel agencies and airlines will have to inform customers of these restrictions before selling them their tickets. In the case of airlines, they will have to provide Passenger Location cards so that travellers can be tracked.

(News: Spain)

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