COVID-19 ACTIVE INFECTION DIAGNOSTIC TEST (AIDT) REQUIRED FOR TRAVELERS ARRIVING FROM HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES TO SPAIN
From November 23, 2020 onward, all passengers arriving to Spain by air or sea will have to undergo a health check before entering the country. These health checks may include taking your temperature, a revision of required documents, and a visual check of the passenger's condition* (See exceptions for travelers with accommodation in the Canary Islands). In addition, those traveling from a high risk country/zone in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus will have to present a NEGATIVE PCR test result (RT-PCR of COVID-19) which has been carried out within 72 hours prior to their trip. The list of high risk countries or areas will be updated every 15 days on the Spain Travel Health - SpTH website www.spth.gob.es
Any changes to the affected territories will be applied 7 days after publication.
The health check prior to entry will consist of the following steps and will be carried out at the first Spanish port or airport where the passenger arrives in the country:
1. Temperature check: will be carried out by means of non-contact thermometers or thermographic cameras. In the case of those passengers arriving to a Spanish port on an international trip, the cruise line, under the supervision of Foreign Health, will take their temperature before their arrival.
Likewise, those passengers who are suspected of suffering from COVID-19 after temperature checks, visual controls, or documentation checks must undergo the AIDT. Alternatively, passengers may be required to undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 48 hours of arrival, the results of which must be correctly communicated to the Foreign Health Services through the indicated channels.
2. Document control: all passengers departing from an airport or port outside of Spain must complete a public health form called the "Health Control Form," whose content differs depending on whether the trip is by air or by sea. In the event that the passenger arrives by air, he/she must fill in this form through the https://www.spth.gob.es/ website or through the free application SPAIN TRAVEL HEALTH - SpTH (available for Android, iOS).
3. Negative PCR validation for passengers from high-risk countries and areas: Upon arrival in Spain, and during the health document control, passengers coming from a high-risk country or area must adequately present a PCR for SARS-CoV-2 with a negative result which has been carried out within 72 hours prior to arrival. If unable to do so, they must undergo an Active Infection Diagnostic Test (AIDT) established by the foreign health services. Until their use is accepted within the European Union, other diagnostic tests such as rapid antibody tests, rapid antigen detection tests, or high-performance serology tests (ELISA, CLIA, ECLIA) will not be accepted.
Passengers with a temperature above 99.5ºF, and those who are suspected of having COVID-19 or another transmissible pathology after visual checks or after analyzing the information contained in the Health Control Form, which indicates the presence of symptoms or close contacts with COVID-19 patients, must undergo a health assessment. This assessment will include an evaluation of their clinical and epidemiological status, as well as the performance of an Active Infection Diagnostic Test (AIDT), if necessary.
If the health assessment confirms that the passenger has a pathology that could pose a risk to public health, if he/she has had close contact with a COVID-19 patient, or if a positive result is obtained after a AIDT for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival, the health alert protocols, which have been established in coordination with the health authorities of the autonomous communities, will be activated. In this case, the health authorities may request the assistance of other administrative bodies, public officials, or other institutions.
The cost of the AIDT carried out at the point of entry in the health control process when a suspicion of COVID-19 is detected will be assumed by the Spanish State.
However, when the required AIDT is not presented by travelers upon entry, it will be considered a breach of the regulations, in which case, the provisions of Title VI of Law 33/2011, of October 4, on General Public Health, will be applicable in reference to offenses and penalties.
INFORMATION ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AT THE DESTINATION
Due to the changing situation in the application of movement restrictions by the relevant authorities, we recommend that you contact the hotel prior to traveling in case there are changes in the measures taken by the regional or local authorities.
All of our hotels provide all the updated and detailed information necessary.
CRITERIA FOR THE APPLICATION OF TEMPORARY TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FROM THIRD COUNTRIES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SHENGEN ASSOCIATED COUNTRIES DUE TO THE HEALTH CRISIS CAUSED BY COVID 19
(Order INT/552/2021, of June 4, amending Order INT/657/2020, of July 17, modifying the criteria for the application of a temporary restriction on non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union and associated Schengen countries for reasons of public order and public health due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19.)
Spain currently has a list of third countries whose residents are exempt from travel restrictions to Spain, as well as a set of specific categories of individuals also exempt from these restrictions, regardless of their place of origin.
At the present time, individuals with a vaccination certificate recognized for this purpose by the Ministry of Health, subject to verification by the health authorities, should be allowed to enter Spain.
Therefore, any person who is a national of a third country of the European Unionshall be refused entry, for reasons of public order or public health,unless he/she belongs to one of the following specific categories:
a) habitual residents of the EU, Schengen associated States, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican (Holy See) or San Marino who are going to that country, with documentary proof.
b) Bearers of a long-stay visa issued by a Schengen Member State or Schengen Associated State, who are going to that country.
c) Health professionals, including health care researchers, and elder care professionals on their way to or returning from work.
d) Transportation personnel, seamen, and aeronautical personnel necessary to carry out air transportation activities.
e) Diplomatic, consular, international organizations, military, civil protection, and humanitarian organizations personnel, in the performance of their duties.
f) Students who are studying in Schengen Member States or associated States and who have the appropriate long-stay permit or visa, provided that they are going to the country where they are studying, and that the entry takes place during the academic year or 15 days prior to the academic year. If the destination is Spain and the duration of the stay is up to 90 days, proof must be provided that the studies are carried out in an authorized educational center in Spain, registered in the respective administrative registry, following a full-time, on-site program during this phase, and leading to the award of a degree or certificate of studies.
g) Highly qualified workers whose work is necessary and cannot be postponed or performed remotely, including participants in high-level sporting events taking place in Spain. These circumstances must be supported by documentary evidence.
h) Individuals traveling for duly accredited compelling family reasons.
i) Individuals who provide documentary proof of force majeure or necessity, or whose entry is permitted for humanitarian reasons.
(j) Residents of the third countries listed in the Annex, provided that they come directly from those countries, have transited exclusively through other countries included in the list or have only transited internationally at airports located in countries not listed in the Annex.
Countries:Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and China.
- For residents of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macau SAR, reciprocity remains to be verified.
k) Individuals in possession of a vaccination certificate recognized for this purpose by the Ministry of Health, after verification by the health authorities, as well as accompanying minors to whom the benefits are extended by the Ministry of Health. Note: New criterion introduced by this Order.
Any third country national, even if he/she belongs to one of the above categories, who, after verification by the health authorities, does not comply with the health check requirements for COVID-19 established by the Ministry of Health (referred to below), shall also be subject to refusal of entry on public health grounds.
Effectiveas of midnight on 06.07.21and the criteria for refusing entry to an EU third country national who does not comply with the above exceptions are in forceuntil 06.30.21pursuant to order INT/519/2021, dated May 27.
HEALTH CHECKS TO BE CARRIED OUT AT POINTS OF ENTRY INTO SPAIN
Resolution of June 4, 2021, of the General Directorate of Public Health, regarding the health checks to be carried out at the points of entry into Spain.,
As of June 7, 2021 the conditions for entry of travelers from the EU or third countries, who must prove that they have the following documents, will be made more flexible:
1. Health check form.All passengers arriving in Spain by air or sea, including those arriving in transit to other countries, must fill out a health control form before departure using the following web sitewww.spth.gob.esor the Spain Travel Health –SpTH– app (hereinafter SpTH), available on Android and iOS.
The information contained in this form is shown in Annex I of this resolution.
Upon completion of the health check form, SpTH will produce an individualized QR code that the traveler must present to the transport companies prior to boarding, as well as at the health checks at the point of entry into Spain.
2. Health checks. All passengers arriving in Spain as a final destination must undergo a health check upon arrival at the first point of entry.
This check shall include, at least, taking the passenger's temperature, a written checklist and a visual check of the passenger's condition.
As a general rule, passengers arriving in Spain in transit to another country will be exempted from the health check during the process of changing international modes of transport at the same port or airport.
However, when the flow of these passengers at the airport passes through a health checkpoint, it will be possible to verify that they have the specific QR for transit passengers generated by SpTH with the designation TRANSIT.
3. Temperature check.Passengers arriving in Spain will be required to undergo a temperature check, which will be performed routinely in order to identify travelers with a fever. A temperature equal to or higher than 99.5°F (37.5°C) is established as the detection limit.
The temperature should be taken by non-contact thermometers or thermographic cameras. Neither personal data nor the images captured by the thermal imaging cameras will be stored, and the passenger's privacy must be guaranteed at all times.
4.Health Check Form.The health check form will be completed according to the information provided by the passengers as a responsible declaration in the health check form through SpTH, from which the necessary actions may result, if applicable, and which are described below.
RISK COUNTRIES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
In case of coming from a country or zone at risk, the passenger must provide the information and documentation proving compliance with the entry requirements of countries at risk.
For passengers arriving from countries or zones at risk, considered as such according to the assessment of their epidemiological situation at any given time, the certification ofoneof the following health requirements will be necessary:
q. Certificate confirming that the bearer has received a COVID-19 vaccination (vaccination certificate).
b. Certificate indicating the result of a Diagnostic Test for Active COVID-19 Infection performed by the bearer (diagnostic certificate).
c. Certificate confirming that the member has recovered from COVID-19(certificate of recovery).
The list of countries or areas at risk, as well as the criteria for inclusion in the list, is published on the Ministry of Health website: https:// www.mscbs.gob.es/and on the SpTH website:https://www.spth.gob.es As a general rule, the lists will be revised every 7 days
a. Vaccination certificate. Vaccination certificates issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin will be accepted as valid 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose of the complete vaccination schedule.
Eligible vaccines will be those licensed by the European Medicines Agency or those that have completed the WHO emergency use process.
b. Certificate of Diagnosis.Diagnostic test certificates for active COVID-19 infection with negative results issued within 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain will be accepted as valid:
- Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA);
- The tests for the detection of antigens are included in the common list of rapid antigen detection tests for COVID-19, published by the European Commission on the basis of Council Recommendation 2021/C 24/01.
c. Certificate of recovery.Certificates of Recovery issued by the competent authority or by a medical service at least 11 days after the first positive NAAT diagnostic test will be accepted as valid.
The validity of the certificate will end 180 days after the sampling date.
