Reopening to tourism in Europe: Spain and France open their borders with confusing requirements

Although the European Union is trying to create harmonious requirements for tourism, Each member state retains sovereignty over its borders, Therefore, entry documents differ between each country. Additionally, the changing health situation adds that global rules generate ever-changing regulations.

Since Monday, after learning of Spain’s Official Gazette regulations, the country has been a pioneer in licensing income outside the European Union, with some health guidelines in place and without quarantine. France, which will do the same on Wednesday, will have other requirements. Currently, many provisions cause entry and travel complications.

As a test, the European Commission is testing the COVID-19 Digital Travel Certificate (open to non-EU citizens), which is already voluntarily used by Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Poland. The digital certification will be fully implemented from July 1.

While waiting for confirmation of the EU coordination, the situation is already causing confusion and delays for travelers who do not have the accuracy and certainty of the applicable income rules, something that has been confirmed Infobae.

Spain

on the side of the SpainAnd the The health decision changes the health controls for entry and the required documents. Ministerial order amending border closures to Grant access to those arriving from countries outside the Schengen territory or the European Union with a full vaccination schedule.

Depending on the country you are entering, requirements can be added, in addition to the immunization achieved. By ship or by plane, there are three possibilities, depending on the origin: countries with free entry, without restrictions (all the Schengen area plus Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, China, Israel, USA, UK and Japan); Almost banned countries, which remain, which can enter only planes and ships carrying only Spaniards or residents of Spain or Andorra (Brazil, South Africa and India). Others are exceptional “safety” granted by the government.

The third, longest, list is the rest of the world. For example in Latin America, in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile, among others.To enter from all of these, you must have a vaccination certificate certifying that the full schedule has been completed at least 14 days prior to arrival.

But not only in practice, it will be verified that the vaccines are those that are accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or those licensed by the World Health Organization (Who is the). Health authorities may delay the type of certificate issued to confirm the application of vaccinations with a green light: Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson o Janssen, Sinopharm y Sinovac.

The first tourist to arrive at Barajas AirportSome of them were consulted InfobaeAnd the Delays and confirmed problems in the face of uncertainty among airport employees due to the quantity and variety of documents submitted to prove vaccination.

The same goes for tests to check for possible COVID 19 infection. In addition to the fact that these countries can enter with full vaccination, the news is the change in diagnostic tests accepted at border control.

Although the arrivals are premature, from the Argentine Embassy in Spain, they are confident that the first doubts will be clarified as the days go by. anyways, The health authorities emphasize the need to enter with the maximum amount of documents that can prove the health status of the traveler and his family, if delays are to be avoided.

In addition to the well-known use of PCR, antigen tests are allowed, which are cheaper and with almost immediate results. It will be valid for travelers who are required to take a diagnostic test within 48 hours before entering Spain. However, in practice, passengers have found confusion between the different forms of certificates, which in some countries, such as Argentina, can become WhatsApp with the result response from a health body.

France

Government Emmanuel Macron creates a new color “traffic light system” By the time it opens for international travelers, the June 9.

Those on the “green list”, countries seen as having control of the epidemic – vaccinated travelers from the European Union, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore – will be allowed entry without restrictions. Unvaccinated tourists from these places must enter intending to get tested for COVID-19.

Travelers who have been vaccinated on the “orange list”, with moderate control of the epidemiological situation – which includes the US and UK – will be tested, although vaccinated, while those who have not been vaccinated will only be allowed entry for essential purposes.

For countries considered in red, which are practically the rest of the countries, border closures will continue. The French authorities do not expect further incomes, at least until new provisions for the continental bloc.

Greece

Greece expected Europe to open up to tourism, even accepting non-EU travelers who were vaccinated or with a negative PCR test and without the need for quarantine. It will cancel the obligation to remain in self-quarantine for seven days for travelers from the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, It is a first step towards the planned opening of tourism soon.

United kingdom

Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Heathrow Airport and a group of US travel leaders today called on President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson to create a travel corridor between the UK and the US. This decision may be announced as an “agenda” item at the G7 conference in Cornwall, UK, this week.

“In the UK, the one-day delay in opening the UK-US corridor is costing the economy £23m,” Virgin Atlantic CEO Shay Vice told the British press.

The country is looking for a traffic light system to resume the flight, To the country of France, something I tried to do but could not do.

Even a minister in the government of Boris Johnson, this morning, requested that the British choose “home holidays”, that is, the country, because of the prevalence of the India or Delta type.

Can I enter through a country to go to another country?

The answer awaits a clear definition by the European Commission before the first of next July.. However, The regulation that will be in effect, is that a traveler entering the European Union must stay at least 14 days without leaving and then arriving elsewhere.After this time has elapsed, it must be subject to the requirements that exist between the two countries, i.e. the country of origin and destination.

exchange

European Commissioner Thierry said on Monday that Europe was calling for “reciprocity” from the United States in welcoming European tourists, especially regarding quarantine, as part of easing restrictions linked to Covid-19.

The 27 agreed on May 19 to allow entry into the European Union for travelers from third countries who have received the necessary doses of Covid vaccines authorized at the European level. In addition to the “epidemic traffic light” system, Europe hopes that if it accepts entry, Europeans will also be admitted.

All this is still under discussion and can even be postponed or modified, if the prevailing variables may differ compared to the arrival of others.

Read on: