The President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, presented at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) the Digital Covid Certificate of the EU that was agreed between the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. "With the Digital Covid Certificate, Spain will resume all its economic activity safely and we will achieve mobility within the European Union this summer,” Sánchez commented. The president clarified that this is not to be treated as a passport, nor travel document, and it is not a requirement for travel. "It is a mechanism that will facilitate mobility, as well as arrival and passenger transit, and which will be launched as of 01 July,” he specified.
The main benefits of the Green Digital Certificate are its simplicity and interoperability for the entire European Union, as well as the fact it is free and universal. By means of a QR code, it will provide information on whether the person traveling is vaccinated, has contracted the disease, or has a negative PCR test result.
From 7 June, tourists from non-EU countries not included in the previous list (annexed in Order INT/484/2021 of 19 May, which does not include any country from the GCC) will be able to travel to Spain if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their trip. Paper vaccination certificates issued in Spanish or English will be accepted provided that the vaccine administered is one of those authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or one of those included in the WHO's Emergency Use Listing. Unvaccinated minors in the same family unit may enter with a negative PCR test (children under 6 years of age do not need to be tested). The vaccination certificate or PCR of minors must be provided on arrival. The entry of vaccinated citizens from non-EU countries without additional health requirements may be reversed in the event of a worsening of the epidemiological situation in the country of origin or circulation of variants.
Also from 7 June, EU citizens with a 2-dose series completed at least 14 days prior to travel (as long as they have been given vaccines authorized by EMA or from the WHO'S Emergency Listing) or with proof of having overcome the disease will be able to enter Spain without a PCR test even if their countries are listed as orange, red or dark red according to the ECDC's map. Once the EU COVID Digital Certificate comes into force, these means of proof will also be accepted in digital format. Unvaccinated minors in the same family unit may enter with a negative PCR test (children under 6 years of age do not need to be tested).
Daniel Rosado, Director of the Spanish Tourism for the gulf countries, said “after long months of restrictions, finally we will be able to see tourists back from this región to Spain, where we are waiting to welcome them with our usual warmth and with the highest health and security measures. The tourism fair of Madrid (Fitur), one of the first mass events to be held live and with all the safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus, sets the path to the recovery of the world´s tourism sector. Spain hopes to receive in 2021 more than 50% of the tourists that visited us in 2019. June 7th will be the start of the summer where travel to Spain is now possible.”
Photo by Henrique Ferreira on Unsplash
