Spain is still ready to capitulate to tourists – on the eve of the summer tourist season, the country plans to start letting even unvaccinated tourists from third countries, and a decision will be made in the near future. This will be the greatest victory of common sense over the global pandemic. This is the statement made by the Minister of Tourism of this Mediterranean country Reyes Maroto – she said that “it will take very little time” before unvaccinated citizens of non-EU countries will be allowed to visit Spain for tourism.
“We are going to stop demanding a vaccination certificate and allow them to enter with a negative test,” she explained. She added that this should be a PDIA test, which in Spain applies to both PCR and antigen tests. If it is a negative PCR or similar test (NAAT type test), it must be issued less than 72 hours before arrival in Spain, or if it is a negative antigen test less than 24 hours before arrival in Spain.
It will be recalled that the official health authorities of Spain have so far held the toughest position among all the resort countries of Europe. So, the other day they decided to extend the ban on travel that is not necessary for unvaccinated vacationers from non-EU countries until June 15. These restrictions allowed tourists from third countries, including Britain and the United States, only if they were fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 – and this could be considered a weakening, because almost throughout the pandemic unvaccinated tourists from non-member countries. to the EU, could not go to Spain.
However, some restrictions will probably remain. Asked when other measures, such as wearing masks on public transport (including airplanes) and confirming vaccinations, testing or recovering to visit certain places, would be lifted, the minister said: “There is a certain level of safety in travel that we must maintain. We are still coexisting with the pandemic, but that does not mean that we are not gradually lifting the restrictions.”
Ms Maroto emphasized that allowing unvaccinated holidaymakers from non-EU countries to enter was another way to boost the country’s recovering tourism industry. “The ministry is making final touches on the law, which will be approved in the coming days,” she said.
Now Europe is massively removing “cuddly barriers”. Spanish competitors such as France and Italy have been admitting unvaccinated tourists from third countries for more than a month with evidence of a negative Covid-19 test. And Greece itself has completely lifted the restrictions.