On Wednesday, the board announced that Spain would welcome all UK holidaymakers with immediate effect, with those not vaccinated against COVID-19 allowed to enter with a negative test before departure. But the decision was overturned within hours – with the deputy director of the board saying the announcement was a “miscommunication” caused by a “misinterpretation of the rules” in a Spanish health ministry bulletin. UK passengers aged 12 and over are still required to show proof that they have been completely punctured or a COVID recovery certificate dated no more than 180 days in advance. The only exception applies to people aged 12 to 17, who can enter Spain without vaccination, provided they have evidence of a negative, approved PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Image: People wearing masks walk in Burgos, northern Spain, during pandemic Pedro Medina, Deputy Managing Director of the Spanish Tourism Office in the United Kingdom, said: “We unreservedly apologize for the miscommunication earlier today, which was due to a misunderstanding of the new entry requirements.” For travelers with piercings, the travel agency said: “If more than 270 days have elapsed since the final dose, certification of booster vaccination is also required, except for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years.” And those wishing to enter the country using a certificate of recovery must have a document obtained from the “official authorities” in connection with a test “carried out by qualified personnel”. In this case, the self-test kits will not be valid and optimistic holidaymakers will have to be certified by a test conducted by an EU-approved list of providers. Meanwhile, a confirmed change is that children under the age of 12 and those traveling to Spain with an NHS COVID travel passport no longer need to complete the country’s health check form in advance. It remains unclear how airlines and tour operators operating flights from the United Kingdom to Spain will react to the Spanish Tourism Commission’s announcement, nor how it will affect unvaccinated travelers booking a holiday before the reversal was announced. Spain remains the most popular destination for British travelers, with the country receiving 18.1 million visitors from the UK in 2019 – an average of 50,000 arrivals per day. Tourist figures fell during the COVID pandemic, with Spain imposing further strict entry requirements earlier this year, insisting that all arrivals aged 12 and over were fully vaccinated. The latest move comes as Spain’s health minister plans to lift the requirement to use a face mask indoors in addition to public transport and medical centers after Easter, when many people in the country travel to see their families. Carolina Darias said she would present the proposed action at a cabinet meeting on April 19.
