The Diplomat
The U.S. State Department has renewed its travel advisories to Spain, in which it advises “no travel” to our country because of COVID and urges “increased caution” because of “terrorism and civil unrest”.
“Do not travel to Spain due to COVID-19”, begin the travel recommendations, published this past Monday. “Exercise increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest”, the State Department continues.
According to the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Advisory for Spain due to COVID-19, “indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country“. However, it points out, “your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine”.
Therefore, “before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers” and “visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and conditions in Spain”, it continues.
On the other hand, the State Department also warns that “terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas”. “Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events”, it adds.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs last updated its travel recommendations to the United States on July 21. On that occasion, the Department headed by José Manuel Albares recalled that, as of January 26, 2021, President Joe Biden’s decree is in force, which maintains the ban on the entry into the US of foreigners who have been in any country of the Schengen Area (including Spain, obviously) in the previous 14 days.
Travelers included in the exceptions included in this decree or who have obtained an authorization from the US Embassy in Madrid to travel to the country must present, before boarding the plane, a negative PCR test performed in the previous 72 hours or proof of having effectively recovered from the virus. The COVID Digital Certificate is not accepted by the U.S. authorities and, therefore, does not allow entry into the country.
