The Spanish authorities have announced that the country has decided to extend the Coronavirus entry restrictions for all travellers from non-European Union countries until November 15.
The news on the extension of the COVID-19 entry restrictions was announced by the Spanish Ministry of Health and was published in the Official State Gazette, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
In line with the current rules that Spain has, all travellers from third countries, including those from the United Kingdom, will be required to present COVID proof in order to be permitted restriction-free entry to Spain.
The Spanish Ministry of Health explains that all travellers over the age of 12 from non-EU countries must present a vaccination certificate, a negative COVID test, or a recovery certificate upon their arrival.
“Passengers (except for children under the age of 12 and those in international transit) arriving from countries that do not belong to the European Union or are NOT considered Schengen associated countries must show an EU Digital Covid Certificate or EU equivalent or the SpTH QR, in order to pass the health controls on arrival in Spain,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
The Ministry explains that the vaccination certificate is recognised as long as it proves that the holder completed primary vaccination in the last 270 days of has received a booster shot.
In addition, the Ministry notes that validity period requirements also apply to the recovery certificate and negative tests. A recovery certificate is accepted as long as it proves that the holder tested positive for the virus in the last six months.
As for the negative COVID tests, Spain accepts both PCR and rapid antigen tests. The PCR test must be taken within 72 hours before entering Spain, whereas the rapid antigen test must be taken 24 hours before entering Spain.
Apart from having to present one of the documents mentioned above, the majority of travellers from third countries are also required to fill in the Health Control Form before travelling to Spain.
It is believed that the Spanish authorities decided to extend the COVID-19 entry requirements for travellers from third countries in order to prevent an increase in infection cases now that the colder months are approaching.
Data from the World Health Organization show that Spain registered 14,885 new COVID infection cases in the last seven days. In addition, during the same period, the country registered 376 deaths.
As for the vaccination rates, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shows that Spain has administered a total of 102,924,722 COVID vaccine doses. The same source reveals that 86.0 per cent of the adult population in Spain has completed primary vaccination, and another 66.1 per cent has received the first booster dose.