Spain reintroduces travel restrictions for visitors from China

The Minister of Health for Spain, Carolina Darias, announced today (Friday) that travellers from China to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands, will be asked for a negative Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination due to the increase of the coronavirus in the Asian country.

This announcement comes after an emergency meeting yesterday of the EU Health Security Committee (HSC) who agreed to maintain "active surveillance" in the face of the ‘explosion’ of coronavirus infections in China, which came the commitment to continue with joint initiatives of all Member States, such as those already publicly demanded by Italy.

The Ministry of Health have also recommended that Spanish travellers whose destination or origin is China, have a complete vaccination schedule and maintain precautionary measures, and have emphasized the importance of getting the second booster dose which is adapted to new variants, especially the most vulnerable people.

The local government in Madrid also made a request to the Ministry of Health yesterday, to increase health controls at the Madrid-Barajas Airport due to the amount of international passengers that pass through the terminals.

At the same time the regional president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, ordered the activation of anti-Covid protocols in nursing homes and hospitals, given the news coming from China.