The Diplomat
The Government yesterday approved the eighth extension of the February 2 agreement limiting flights between Brazil and South Africa and Spanish airports to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The measure will be in force from 00:00 on May 25 (peninsular time) until 00:00 on June 8, 2021 (peninsular time). From Brazil and South Africa, flights to Spain may only be operated by Spanish or Andorran citizens, as well as residents of both countries or passengers in international transit to a non-Schengen country with a stopover of less than 24 hours without leaving the transit zone of the Spanish airport.
These restrictions do not affect the aeronautical personnel necessary to carry out air transport activities. In addition, other exemptions are contemplated for State aircraft flights, search and rescue services (SAR), flights with stopover in Spanish territory for non-commercial purposes and with final destination in another country, exclusive cargo flights, positional (ferry) and humanitarian, medical or emergency flights.
“Although it is true that the risk of importing cases from both countries can be reduced thanks to the sanitary control measures applicable on arrival in Spain, this does not prevent us from continuing to take extreme precautions in view of the potential for the spread of the Brazilian and South African variants of the virus,” warned the Ministry of the Interior.
In any case, depending on the evolution of the pandemic and the decisions that may be adopted in a coordinated manner in the European Union, the Ministry of Health may lift, for justified reasons, these limitations, which are aligned with the provisions of the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to prevent the spread of the virus.
