New Entry Requirements for British Travellers

[James]

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, has been interviewed by Cadena Ser this morning and confirmed new entry requirements for British travellers with effect from 1st July.

It will be necessary to present evidence of either:-

(1) A full vaccination; or

(2) A negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arrival.

 

[Sparky]

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, has been interviewed by Cadena Ser this morning and confirmed new entry requirements for British travellers with effect from 1st July.

It will be necessary to present evidence of either:-

(1) A full vaccination; or

(2) A negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arrival.

I think this is a great idea .

I never did understand why people were allowed in without any tests or proof of vaccination .

 

[Rockape]

I think this is a great idea .

I never did understand why people were allowed in without any tests or proof of vaccination .

Yeah we were saying this this morning...otherwise you'll get a massive dose of the Indian/Delta variant before you know it.

Hopefully the vaccination cards are considered proof....cos we arrive next Monday!

 

[El Gordo]

I think this is a great idea .

I never did understand why people were allowed in without any tests or proof of vaccination .

Have I missed something here?
I don't understand why vaccinated people are exempt from testing!
Surely the vaccination is really only to protect the individual if they catch it!
Have they proved that vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the disease?

 

[James]

Have I missed something here?
I don't understand why vaccinated people are exempt from testing!
Surely the vaccination is really only to protect the individual if they catch it!
Have they proved that vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the disease?

Yes, there is statistical evidence that they can reduce transmissibility (both in respect of people they prevent from being infected in the first place not then having it to spread and also shedding it at lower levels should a vaccinated person become infected but more mildly as a result) but, as with their overall effectiveness, it’s by no means guaranteed. Then again, neither is a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before arrival.

This change simply removes the anomaly between British and other arrivals and aligns Spain’s arrival health criteria for anybody entering the country whether from the UK, USA or elsewhere.

 

[Sparky]

Have I missed something here?
I don't understand why vaccinated people are exempt from testing!
Surely the vaccination is really only to protect the individual if they catch it!
Have they proved that vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the disease?

I see your point El G but then again how does a negative test make any difference when in the 48hrs between the test and when you travel you could become infected? .

 

[car77]

Yeah we were saying this this morning...otherwise you'll get a massive dose of the Indian/Delta variant before you know it.

Hopefully the vaccination cards are considered proof....cos we arrive next Monday!

You can download your NHS Covid pass on the NHS app now for either event trials or travel. It has a QR code on and shows the dates of your two vaccinations. I imagine this is what you will need to show.

Car

 

[El Gordo]

I see your point El G but then again how does a negative test make any difference when in the 48hrs between the test and when you travel you could become infected? .

I agree.
In fact we were told to self isolate after our flight home in March as we had been in close contact with someone on the plane who developed Covid!!
I didn't matter then as we were already isolating!! but we were concerned we would develop Covid.

Roll on September

 

[Magic Hat]

You can download your NHS Covid pass on the NHS app now for either event trials or travel. It has a QR code on and shows the dates of your two vaccinations. I imagine this is what you will need to show.

Car

In Scotland we have no app, so need to request a paper copy of out vaccination record. They're currently quoting 3 weeks for this to arrive.

 

[PP76]

In Scotland we have no app, so need to request a paper copy of out vaccination record. They're currently quoting 3 weeks for this to arrive.

Our certificates arrived in two weeks Magic and three weeks ago we were asked for the certificates at the airport.

 

[HarrysDad]

Breaking - Brits now required to have test or double jab to enter s

Brits will now need a negative PCR test or proof of double vaccination to enter Spain:

English link: https://english.elpais.com/society/...-to-show-pcr-test-or-be-fully-vaccinated.html


https://elpais.com/sociedad/2021-06...acunas-en-espana-y-en-el-mundo.html?ssm=TW_CC

It's interesting to note that separately the EU are saying they won't accept people as being double jabbed who had the AZ vaccine manufactured in India - that's about 5m brits. If you look at your vaccine certificate on the NHS app (England only) and it says the product you've had 'Vaxzevria' or 'Comirnaty' you're fine, if it says 'Covishield' it won't be recognised as this was never approved by the EMA

How you prove your vaccine status in Wales, Scotland or NI isn't as easy but this great article from The BBC explains how: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-55718553

 

[Luckyone]

Scottish NHS Letter of Certification

We received our NHS Letters/Certification in 3/4 days mid June. Now others are receiving in 1 to 2 days. Also shows that Vaxzevria EU Product approved.

 

[mallorcaboy]

Yeah we were saying this this morning...otherwise you'll get a massive dose of the Indian/Delta variant before you know it.

Hopefully the vaccination cards are considered proof....cos we arrive next Monday!

I doubt that your vaccine cards will be sufficient.
Download the NHS App and register/log in
Click on "Get your NHS Covid pass"
Click the TRAVEL part
Click Covid-19 records found
You will get a 2D bar code which is valid for that day but refreshes every time you log in
If you generate a PDF copy of your pass it is valid for 30 days

 

[fil6699]

I doubt that your vaccine cards will be sufficient.
Download the NHS App and register/log in
Click on "Get your NHS Covid pass"
Click the TRAVEL part
Click Covid-19 records found
You will get a 2D bar code which is valid for that day but refreshes every time you log in
If you generate a PDF copy of your pass it is valid for 30 days

yes this is true do not try to use that silly card they give you that means nothing .the App is easy to use but can take up to 48 hours to get your certificate . have your passport or driving licence handy as you will need it to register on the App

 

[Rockape]

Thanks all, now sorted!

 

[clinkham]

Update from UK Gov at 1800 today.

Update from GOV.​UK for: Updated 'Entry requirements’ from July 1st.
(Time updated/issued:
5:59pm, 28 June 2021 )

Spain travel advice
Spain travel advice
Change made:
Update on entry requirements for all arrivals to Spain from the UK, expected to come into force from 1 July (see ‘Entry requirements’ page)

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

 

[James]

The Spanish Government has published the new law amending the entry requirements of travellers from the UK this morning here:-

https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2021-10746

This states that, for the purpose of evidence to permit entry into Spain:-

“In the case of people residing in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who come directly from it, in addition to the vaccination certificate, the diagnostic certificates recognized for this purpose by the Ministry of Health in Section 7 (1) of the Resolution of June 4, 2021, of the General Directorate of Public Health, relative to the sanitary controls to be carried out at the points of entry into Spain.”

The Ministry of Health Resolution of June 4, 2021 can be found here:-

https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2021-9352

Section 7(1) states:-

“Diagnostic Certificate.

Certificates of diagnostic test of active COVID-19 infection with a negative result issued in the forty-eight hours prior to arrival in Spain will be accepted as valid.

The diagnostic tests of infection for SARS-CoV-2 admitted will be the following:

1. Molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA)

The diagnostic test certificate must include, at least, the following information:

1. Name and surname of the owner.

2. Date of sample collection.

3. Type of test performed.

4. Issuing country.”

NAAT tests, for the purpose of the Spanish Government include PCR, LAMP and TMA tests. See:- https://www.spth.gob.es/faq?tab=2

The law changes published this morning exclude approval for entry into Spain from the UK with evidence of negative Rapid Antigen (lateral flow) tests as these are only approved under Section 7(2) of the Ministry of Health Resolution of June 4, 2002 which has been expressly excluded.

 

[alcanadakid]

Thanks James for the information, However i am confused as to whether the RAT ( Rapid test) is allowed, as the link to which you refer says that it is allowable.

I note your further comment that this is expressively excluded, by previous (2002) legislation. Since this is old legislation could it be overruled by the latest advice?

The UK Gov website says that RAT tests are allowable for entry into Spain.

No doubt it will all soon become apparent

 

[fil6699]

The Spanish Government has published the new law amending the entry requirements of travellers from the UK this morning here:-

https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2021-10746

This states that, for the purpose of evidence to permit entry into Spain:-

“In the case of people residing in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who come directly from it, in addition to the vaccination certificate, the diagnostic certificates recognized for this purpose by the Ministry of Health in Section 7 (1) of the Resolution of June 4, 2021, of the General Directorate of Public Health, relative to the sanitary controls to be carried out at the points of entry into Spain.”

The Ministry of Health Resolution of June 4, 2021 can be found here:-

https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2021-9352

Section 7(1) states:-

“Diagnostic Certificate.

Certificates of diagnostic test of active COVID-19 infection with a negative result issued in the forty-eight hours prior to arrival in Spain will be accepted as valid.

The diagnostic tests of infection for SARS-CoV-2 admitted will be the following:

1. Molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA)

The diagnostic test certificate must include, at least, the following information:

1. Name and surname of the owner.

2. Date of sample collection.

3. Type of test performed.

4. Issuing country.”

NAAT tests, for the purpose of the Spanish Government include PCR, LAMP and TMA tests. See:- https://www.spth.gob.es/faq?tab=2

The law changes published this morning exclude approval for entry into Spain from the UK with evidence of negative Rapid Antigen (lateral flow) tests as these are only approved under Section 7(2) of the Ministry of Health Resolution of June 4, 2002 which has been expressly excluded.

as i understood it you need proof of double vaccine completed at least 4 weeks before entry or a negative pcr test with fit to fly certificate which comes into force on Thursday
. The above seems extramural complicated and usual Spanish gobble de gook

 

[alcanadakid]

Section 7(1) also states:

Vaccination certificates issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin will be accepted as valid from 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose of the complete vaccination regimen. The accepted vaccines will be those authorized by the European Medicines Agency or those that have completed the emergency use process of the World Health Organization.

The diagnostic tests of infection for SARS-CoV-2 admitted will be the following:

1. Molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA);

2. The antigen detection tests included in the common list of rapid antigen detection tests for COVID-19, published by the European Commission based on Council Recommendation 2021 / C 24/01."