All Belgians had high hopes for the latest Consultative Committee held on 14 April. Among the big questions was the lifting of the ban on travel for non-essential reasons. And it would seem that policymakers heard the prayers of the many Belgians longing for a getaway, since, from 19 April, non-essential travel will once again be allowed within the European Union, enough to rekindle the flame that had slowly been dying out.
That said, lifting the ban does not mean complete freedom. Indeed, each country in the Union has its own regulations regarding entry to and exit from its territory. Are you planning to travel to Spain soon? In this article, Secundo sets out for you the requirements for travelling to the Iberian Peninsula.
Travelling to Spain: before
Before travelling to Spain, two conditions must be met:
- Health Control Form (HCF) : you must complete and electronically sign this form before your travel date. To obtain this form, you need to go to the Spain Travel Health portal and choose the form template according to your profile (travelling alone or as a family). For smartphone enthusiasts, the SpTH app is available for iOS and Android devices. Once the form is signed, you will receive a QR code that you must present on arrival in Spain. The form may also be presented in paper format before boarding only if this is duly justified.
- Negative test : if you are coming from an at-risk country such as Belgium, you will need to present a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before your arrival in Spain. In addition, you will have to hand over a written certificate drawn up in French, Spanish, English or German. If you fail to do so, a financial penalty will be imposed and you will have to undergo a test at the airport.
These formalities are compulsory for every passenger arriving in Spain by air or sea, with the exception of children under 6 years of age.
Once you have arrived at the airport, you will undergo a health check that includes the following: a temperature reading, a document check and a visual assessment of the passenger's state of health. In all cases, the Health Control Form (HCF) must be presented. You may also be asked to present a negative PCR test (paper or electronic format) taken less than 72 hours before arrival. Should the health check reveal a possible COVID-19 infection, you would have to undergo a diagnostic test at the airport on your arrival in Spain.
Travelling to Spain: during
We advise you to find out in advance about the rules in force in the region you intend to visit. The official Spain tourism portal lets you check the regulations in force in each region simply by clicking on the region you want. That click takes you to the COVID information site for each region. The only downside: everything is written in Spanish.
By way of example, if you are travelling to the Valencian Community, here are the measures adopted to fight the spread of the virus, in force since 12 April and applicable up to and including 25 April:
- Curfew from 10 pm
- Shops open until 8 pm
- Social bubble limited to two people indoors versus 6 people outdoors
- Terraces open at 100% of their outdoor capacity versus 30% indoors from 6 pm. The number of people allowed per table is 6
- Regional lockdown: travel beyond the Valencian Community is not permitted
- Wearing a face mask in public places is compulsory for anyone aged 6 and over.
Travelling to Spain: after
On your return to Belgium, you will also have to bear certain obligations in mind. First of all, if your trip lasts more than 48 hours, you will have to complete the Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before your return to Belgium. Depending on your answers, and the colour code of the zone you are returning from, the form will calculate whether you are a high-risk contact. Travellers returning from a red zone are, by definition, considered to be high-risk contacts. As a reminder, quarantine is not required if you are returning from a green or orange zone. If you receive a text message, it means you are an at-risk person. In that case, a 10-day quarantine will be required and a test will have to be carried out on the 1st day and the 7th day of your quarantine. If you do not receive a text message, there is nothing to worry about, you are not considered an at-risk person.
Be at home this summer!
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