Travel

Spain warning: Country unlikely to return to safe list as Madrid put in State of Emergency


The Spanish government has put a 15-day state of emergency on Madrid after coronavirus infections raced out of control. The capital will and its nearby cities will have restrictions in place which will be enforced by around 7,000 police. Last week, non-essential movement in and out of Madrid and the other nine nearby cities was banned.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Departmental Office is currently advising against non-essential travel to Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Spain and its surrounding islands are also not on the UK’s travel corridor list.

In line with the latest update from Spain, the FCDO updated its advice.

The advice stated that “entry for tourism purposes is not currently permitted and should be avoided.”

It added: “If you think you have reason to qualify as exempt and need to travel into or out of a confined area, you should carry evidence of your reason for travel such as a certificate from your employer, proof of medical appointment, or proof of onward journey such as train or flight tickets.

“To find out more about specific exemptions you should refer to guidance from local authorities.

“Many municipalities without entry and exit restrictions have introduced other types of measures such as controls on opening hours (usually a 10pm curfew), and have reduced capacity for bars and restaurants.

“In many parts of Spain, nightclubs remain closed.

“Social gathering limitations may vary between a maximum of five to 10 people depending on where you are in Spain.”

Travellers should be aware that face coverings need to be worn by anyone over the age of six years old on all forms of public transport in Spain and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces.

Madrid has recorded just under 260,000 cases of coronavirus while the country as a whole has recorded almost 900,000 cases.

Countries included on the UK’s travel corridor list usually have less than 20 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period.

Currently, Spain has recorded 148.5, putting it well above the UK’s preferred threshold.

However, the UK’s own infection rate has risen above Spain’s figure to 152.5 per 100,000 people over a seven-day period.





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