Update on Spain’s COVID-19 Policies

Nov 13, 2020 | Global

Decision of 11th November 2020 of the General Directorate of Public Health, related to health controls to undertake at the entry points of Spain

Spain announced the obligation of passengers travelling to Spain by air or sea to undertake a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior their entry to Spain, starting 23rd November.

All passengers arriving to Spain either by air or sea shall undertake a health control prior their entry to Spain. These controls include:

  • Temperature check,
  • Visual screening,
  • And documentary check which consists of:
    • Heath control form: all passengers prior their arrival to Spain shall complete, prior their departure, the Health Control Form “Formulario de Control Sanitario”, through the website www.spth.gob.es or the application Travel Health-SpTH. A QR code will be disclosed after completion to be provided to Spanish authorities at arrival to Spain.
    • All passengers travelling from a country or zone considered of risk (attached current list of countries) shall provide a COVID-19 RT-PCR test with a negative result, conducted within 72 hours prior arrival to Spain.

The test report shall be original, issued either in Spanish and/ or English and can be provided either in paper or electronic format.

It shall include the following data:

      • Name of the passenger
      • Number of passport or ID (it shall be the same indicated on the health control form)
      • Date of conducting the test
      • Contact details of the medical centre/ facility conducting the test
      • Technique applied for the test
      • Negative result of the test.

Only a COVID 19 RT-PCR test is accepted. Exceptionally, sea workers may not be required to provide this test prior arrival to Spain.

Travel agencies and tour operators shall inform passengers about the obligation of completion of the health form and the RT-PCR in case they travel from a country or zone considered of risk.

Additionally, the authorities, after undertaking the health control, may require passengers to conduct a RT-PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in case of passengers suspected to suffer COVID-19.

The list of countries or zones of risk will be reviewed bi-weekly and the update will be released by the Health Ministry (https://www.mscbs.gob.es and published in SpTH website (http://www.spth.gob.es)

Government of Canary Islands

Besides the measure undertaken by the Spanish central government, the local government of Canary Islands anticipates the presentation of the PCR test starting 14 November as a requirement to access tourist accommodation establishments. The PCR test with negative result shall be undertaken within 72 hours prior arrival. This requirement is not applicable to minors of 6 years and those residents or non-residents who can evidence their stay in the Canary Islands during 15 days prior accessing such establishments and not having suffered COVID-19 symptoms during this period.

The requirement of providing a PCR test will remain effective until Spanish authorities establish otherwise.

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