The Diplomat
The Official State Gazette (BOE) yesterday published the resolution establishing the health control measures to be applied to passengers on flights from China, so that those from other origins, such as Hong Kong, would not be affected.
The urgent health surveillance and control measure is being implemented in view of the high level of transmission of the coronavirus in China, which poses a “serious epidemiological risk, in application of the precautionary principle, especially to detect the appearance of new variants”.
The first flight affected by the health control measures adopted by the government arrived at 7.30pm yesterday at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport from Beijing. The controls will initially be in force until midnight on 15 February 2023.
The travellers were subjected to a control by Foreign Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda through AENA. The check consists of a documentary, visual and temperature check and a diagnostic test for active SARS-CoV-2 infection.
If the active infection test is positive, the communication and coordination protocols established with the health services of the autonomous communities are activated, according to the resolution of the Ministry of Health published in the BOE (Official State Gazette).
The resolution notes “the significant deterioration of the epidemiological situation with regard to COVID-19 in the People’s Republic of China”. Circumstance that “is aggravated by the lack of transparency and epidemiological information from the Chinese authorities”. This situation also coincides with the elimination of travel restrictions in China as of 8 January 2023 and the celebration of its New Year on 22 January.
In this context, Health explained that the resolution published yesterday also provides for the requirement of an EU Digital COVID Certificate (EU-DCC) or equivalent for all passengers on flights from China from 3 January.
In the case of vaccination certificates, the vaccination schedules established in the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in Spain will be accepted.
With regard to negative diagnostic tests, in Spain, molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), whose sample was obtained within 72 hours prior to departure; and antigen detection tests included in the common list of rapid antigen detection tests for COVID-19, agreed by the European Union Health Security Committee, whose sample was obtained within 24 hours prior to departure, will be accepted.
In the case of a recovery certificate, a certificate issued by the competent authority or a medical service at least 11 days after the first positive NAAT or antigen detection test performed by health professionals or qualified personnel shall be accepted as valid. The certificate shall be valid for 180 days after the date of the first positive diagnostic test result.
