Spain extends flight restrictions from UK, Brazil and South Africa

The Spanish government has extended the restrictions on flights between Spain and the United Kingdom, in place to prevent the spread of the British variant of Covid-19.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, it was agreed that the latest extension will last until 6pm on March 16. Flights from the UK were originally suspended on December 22.

Only flights with Spanish and Andorran citizens or residents or passengers in international transit to a country outside the Schengen area are permitted.

Flight restrictions with South Africa and Brazil have also been extended due to the coronavirus variants discovered in those countries.

Since Monday, arrivals from Brazil and South Africa also have to quarantine for ten days, or for seven days if they produce a negative PCR test.

Variants detected in Catalonia

On February 17, Catalan health officials reported that one third of newly discovered coronavirus cases in Catalonia were of the British variant, and they expect it to make up a majority of cases by mid-March.

The first patient in Catalonia diagnosed with the South African variant of Covid-19 was confirmed on February 4, while the first possible cases of the Brazilian variant were discovered on Wednesday.

The three strains are reported to be more contagious than the initial strain of Covid-19.

Land borders closed

Catalonia's land borders remain shut, with exceptions for health emergencies, commuting to and from work or school, and to take care of dependent relatives.

Overland travelers to France must present a negative PCR test to enter the country, with exceptions for cross-border workers and residents of border areas.

Travel restrictions are also in place on the land border between Spain and Portugal until March 1 at least.

PCR tests for international arrivals

Spain requires travelers from countries severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to present a negative PCR test upon their arrival.

In order to be allowed into Spain by sea or air, visitors will have to demonstrate they have tested negative for the virus within 72 hours prior to travelling.

The full list of countries affected is published on https://www.mscbs.gob.es/ and on https://www.spth.gob.es and is updated every two weeks – every new update comes into force seven days after being published.

Here's the latest list of countries (valid from February 22 to March 7):

EU-EEA countries

Austria 

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

Croatia 

Cyprus 

Czechia 

Estonia 

Finland

France (except for the islands of Guadalupe, Reunión and Martinique) 

Germany

Greece (except the Anatoliki Makedonia Thraki, Dytiki Ellada, Dytiki Makedonia, Ionia Nisia, Kentriki Makedonia, Kriti, Notio Aigaio, Peloponnisos, Sterea Ellada, Thessalia, Voreio Aigaio and Ipeiros regions)

Hungary 

Ireland 

Italy (except the Valle D'aosta/vallee D'aoste region)

Latvia

Liechtenstein 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Poland 

Portugal (except the Azores)

Romania 

Slovakia 

Slovenia 

Sweden

Non EU-EEA countries

Albania

Andorra

Argentina

Aruba

Bahrain

Belarus

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Cape Verde

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominican Republic

Eswatini

Falkland Islands

Georgia

Gibraltar (United Kingdom)

Guernsey (United Kingdom)

Israel

Kuwait

Lebanon

Malaysia

Maldives

Mexico

Moldova

Monaco

Montenegro

Morocco

North Macedonia

Pakistan

Palestine

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Puerto Rico

Qatar

Russia

Saint Lucia

Saint Martin (The Netherlands)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

San Marino

Serbia

Seychelles

South Africa

Switzerland

Tanzania

Tunisia

Turks and Caicos

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States of America

Uruguay