MADRID, 20 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
As of tomorrow, Spain eliminates health control measures for people from countries outside the European Union or with the consideration of Schengen associated countries in the face of the evolution of the pandemic and to favor the normalization of international mobility, according to this publication. Thursday the Official State Gazette (BOE).
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, health control measures have been established in Spain for international passengers at points of entry into Spain, which are currently limited to people coming from these countries.
In this scenario, it is considered that the measures to limit international mobility must be applied in accordance with the general principles of Union Law, “not going beyond what is strictly necessary to safeguard public health” and must be lifted when the epidemiological situation , particularly in the hospital, allows it.
For this reason, this resolution nullifies the one of April 1, 2022, regarding the health controls to be carried out at points in Spain, by which people who arrive in Spain by air or sea from the aforementioned countries may be subject to to a health check at the first point of entry that will include, at least, taking their temperature, a documentary check and a visual check on their physical condition.
As far as land borders are concerned, it is articulated through Order SND/425/2022, of May 13, which establishes health control measures for people who arrive in Spain through the land border posts of Ceuta and melilla.
To this end, the BOE also publishes today Order SND/984/2022, of October 18, which annuls the previous one regarding border posts.
Regulation (EU) 2021/953 on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of COVID-19 certificates establishes the characteristics of health certificates for vaccination, diagnostic testing and recovery within the framework of international travel, with the aim to facilitate free movement and gradually remove restrictions on this free movement, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this Regulation leaves in the hands of the Member States the power to limit the fundamental right to free movement for reasons of public health. Since the publication of the Regulation, in Spain the characteristics of the EU digital COVID certificates have been applied as health requirements for international passengers and the health controls applied at entry points have been largely based on it.
In any case, a possible worsening of the pandemic may lead to the reactivation of health measures in the field of international travel. For this reason, the resolution of October 18, 2022, of the General Directorate of Public Health, regarding the characteristics of health certificates in the framework of international travel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been published.
