COVID-19 (Coronavirus): guidance from the Spanish and Italian Authorities

With regard to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) emergency, please observe the guidance published on the matter – and constantly updated – by the Italian and Spanish Authorities.

On the Re-open EU platform of the European Commission, created to encourage a safe return to tourism throughout Europe, updated information on each country is available, allowing European citizens to plan their travels during this period.

All those wishing to travel to Italy are advised to download the app "Immuni", to facilitate the active tracing of positive cases and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Likewise, those wishing to travel to Spain are advised to download the app “Radar Covid”.

Those who are in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Aragon and Murcia may also consult the website of the Consulate General in Barcelona.

For ordinary consular services (passports, identity documents, etc.) please refer to the specific section of the Consular Chancellery of the Embassy's website, bearing in mind that, due to the particular health situation in Madrid, the offices may undergo temporary closures which may cause inconvenience. To ensure the best possible service, it is recommended to request consular services as far in advance as possible (link to the news item).

MOBILITY SITUATION IN SPAIN WITH COVID-19

• As of 21 June, with the end of the "state of alarm", entry into Spain is permitted from all European countries and countries belonging to the Schengen area, without the need to justify the reasons for travel and without any obligation to observe quarantine. Furthermore, travel between provinces and regions (Autonomous Communities) within the country is permitted. Before entering the country it is necessary to fill in a “public health form”. For further details, see the paragraph “Main Spanish measures”. Restrictive measures are in force in localities with a high COVID-19 rate: for more info, see the paragraph "Situation in Spain".

MOBILITY SITUATION IN ITALY WITH COVID-19

• With regard to Italy, as of 3 June, travel for any reason is permitted, to and from Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of San Marino and Vatican City, as well as between different Italian provinces and regions, without limitation on grounds and without obligation to observe quarantine.

However, until 13 November, there is in force the obligation, for those entering national territory after having stayed or transited in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic and Spain in the previous 14 days, to undergo a molecular or antigen test in the 72 hours prior to entry (presenting the negative result) or within 48 hours following entry into national territory (at the border crossing point of arrival or at the relevant health centre). Some exceptions to the testing obligation remain in force. For further information, see the paragraph "Situation in Italy".

• To date, the operation, coordinated by the Farnesina, to allow the return from Spain of thousands of fellow citizens can be considered concluded, given the blockage of direct flights from Italy decided by the Spanish authorities on 10 March and lifted on 19 May (see below). From mid-March until the end of June, 70 special flights (half of which from the Canary Islands and the other half from the airports of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Malaga) were arranged with the coordination of the Farnesina Crisis Unit and the Italian consular network in Spain. Almost 11,000 fellow citizens benefited from them, many of them in situations of vulnerability, in addition to the more than 6,000 who returned to Italy via the maritime connections from Barcelona.

AIR FLIGHTS FROM ITALY WITH COVID-19

•  With regard to air connections, the main airlines have resumed operations between Italy and Spain since June and July. However, flights are still subject to frequent changes or cancellations. It is recommended to always check with the relevant airline to receive confirmation of the operability and punctuality of the flight.

MARITIME TRAVEL FROM ITALY WITH COVID-19

• With regard to maritime connections, it is noted that both Grimaldi Lines (Barcelona-Porto Torres-Civitavecchia route) and Grandi Navi Veloci (Barcelona-Genoa route) are operating regularly. For detailed confirmations on boarding arrangements and reservations, please consult the respective websites.

• Regarding the specific Barcelona-Porto Torres route, it should be noted that, pursuant to the order of the President of the Region of Sardinia  no. 27 of 2 June 2020, all passengers arriving on the island by air or sea must register before boarding through the relevant online form. The Regions of Sicily, Apulia and Calabria also require registration before arrival. 

ROAD TRAVEL FROM ITALY WITH COVID-19

• Land connections are operating regularly: also in this case it is advisable to contact the providers of such services, such as Renfe, Renfe-SNCF and Alsa. Anyone choosing to travel by road is advised to visit the websites of the Italian Consulate in Barcelona and the Italian Embassy in Paris in relation to any restrictions imposed there.

• The rules on travel to and from abroad in force in Italy from 9 August to 7 September, and subsequently extended until 7 October, are contained in the DPCM of 7 August 2020. From 8 September to 7 October see also the DPCM of 7 September. From 8 to 15 October see the Order of the Ministry of Health of 7 October 2020. From 14 October to 13 November see the DPCM of 13 October 2020.

• More detailed information at this page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

MAIN SPANISH MEASURES WITH COVID-19

• As established in the resolution of the Ministry of Health of 24 July, all passengers arriving in Spain by air or sea must undergo a health check before entering the country. Such checks may include temperature taking, a document check and a visual check of the passenger's condition. As regards the document check, all passengers originating from any airport or port located outside Spanish territory must fill in a "health control form" before travelling, through the website Spain Travel Health or the Spain Travel Health-SPTH app, obtaining a QR code which must be presented upon arrival in Spain (on a mobile device or printed). Exceptionally, international passengers who have not been able to fill in the form electronically may present it upon arrival in Spain in paper format (the template is found in the appendix of the provision mentioned above: annex 1 for arrivals by air and annex 2 for arrivals by sea).

• The suspension of direct flights from Italy (decided by the Spanish authorities on 10 March, subsequently amended and then extended) as well as the ban on entry into Spanish ports of passenger vessels coming from Italy (decided by the Spanish authorities on 12 March and subsequently extended) were repealed on 19 May. The measure entered into force on the same day of its publication. The possibility of restoring direct commercial air and maritime connections between Italy and Spain, on a regular basis and in both directions, is a decision for the transport companies.

• Since 21 June, the end of the "state of alarm" proclaimed on 14 March and subsequently extended several times, entry into Spain from all European countries and countries belonging to the Schengen Area is permitted, without the need to justify the reason for travel and without any obligation to observe quarantine. Such provisions (internal Schengen border controls and quarantine obligation) have indeed lapsed with the end of the "state of alarm".

• Non-essential travel from third countries, on the contrary, is limited until 31 October, under the rules already established in mid-July and following EU recommendations. Under this measure, citizens from third countries (i.e. not from the European Union or Schengen-associated countries) may enter Spain only if they are: a) habitual residents of the European Union, Schengen-associated States, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican or San Marino heading to that country, providing documentary evidence; b) holders of a long-term visa issued by a Member State or a Schengen-associated State heading to that country; c) health professionals, including health researchers, and professionals caring for the elderly heading to or returning from carrying out their work activity; d) transport personnel, seafarers and aeronautical personnel necessary to carry out air transport activities; e) diplomatic, consular personnel, personnel of international organisations, military personnel, civil protection personnel and members of humanitarian organisations, in the exercise of their duties; f) students carrying out their studies in EU Member States or Schengen-associated States and holding the corresponding permit or visa and health insurance, provided they are heading to the country where they study, and that entry occurs during the academic year or the previous 15 days; g) highly qualified workers whose work is necessary and cannot be postponed or carried out remotely, including participants in high-level sporting events taking place in Spain: these circumstances must be documented; h) persons travelling for duly proven imperative family reasons; i) persons who document reasons of force majeure or a situation of necessity; j) residents in Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China, provided they come directly from those countries, have transited exclusively through other countries included in the list or have only made international transits at airports located in countries not on the list. The borders of Ceuta and Melilla also remain temporarily closed without exceptions.

•  The reference rules following the end of the "state of alarm" (starting with the mandatory use of masks on public transport, buses, trains, planes and vessels as well as all public spaces, indoor or outdoor, where it is not possible to maintain a distance between people of at least two metres) are contained in Royal Decree-Law 21/2020 of 9 June. For each of the Autonomous Communities, see the specific, even more restrictive, measures adopted in each of them. To that end, through this page of the Ministry of Health it is possible to consult the corresponding websites of each Health Department, where reference measures are indicated.

SITUATION IN SPAIN DUE TO COVID-19

• As for the situation in Spain, the risk is considered to be in the containment phase, although numerous flare-ups have been recorded in recent weeks, with contagion rates far higher than the European average.

• The Autonomous Community continuing to record the highest number of new cases is Madrid; followed by Catalonia, Andalusia, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, the Basque Country and the Valencian Community, whose situation is constantly updated on this page.

• To address this situation, the Government decreed, on 14 March 2020, a "state of alarm" throughout the country, subsequently authorised by Parliament and eventually extended until 20 June inclusive. Competences in health matters have again passed to the Autonomous Communities, although coordination by the central Government remains.

• In view of the acceleration of infections in recent weeks, almost all Spanish autonomous communities have reinforced the use of masks, which must be worn in public places even if it is possible to maintain the interpersonal safety distance, on pain of a fine.

• On 1 October 2020, following the meeting of the Inter-Territorial Health Council, the Spanish Ministry of Health established uniform criteria under which the Autonomous Communities (Regions) are obliged to adopt reinforced restrictive measures to combat the spread of the virus in municipalities of more than 100,000 inhabitants. The parameters are as follows: a) 500 positive cases recorded in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants; b) 10% positivity rate among those tested for coronavirus; c) ICU bed occupancy exceeding 35% of those available in the relevant Autonomous Community. If these three parameters are present, the competent authorities are obliged to adopt measures such as the prohibition of entry and exit from the Municipalities except for certain specific reasons (such as going to work, school, etc.), the reduction of capacity in commercial establishments, the early closure of these premises at 22:00, a limit of 6 people for public and private gatherings. For further details, see the document.

• Pursuant to the above, the Council of Ministers decreed on 9 October a "state of alarm" in some municipalities of the Community of Madrid (Alcobendas, Alcorcón, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, Leganés, Madrid, Móstoles, Parla, Torrejón de Ardoz), for an initial period of 15 days, until 24 October. The measure provides for the limitation of entry and exit from the aforementioned municipalities, except for specific reasons: a) attendance at health centres, services and facilities; b) fulfilment of employment, professional, commercial, institutional or legal obligations; c) attendance at university, teaching and educational centres, including nursery schools; d) return to place of habitual residence; e) assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependent persons, disabled people or particularly vulnerable persons; f) unavoidable appointments with financial and insurance institutions; g) necessary or urgent procedures before public, judicial or notarial bodies; h) renewal of permits and official documents, as well as other unavoidable administrative procedures; i) participation in unavoidable official examinations or competitions; j) reasons of force majeure or situations of necessity; k) any other activity of a similar nature, duly justified. For further details, see the provision. Separately, the Community of Madrid has adopted other restrictive measures such as the limitation of 6 people for public and private gatherings, the further reduction of the maximum capacity of premises, and the early closure of bars and restaurants. For further details see this page.

• Special containment measures against infections in both the workplace and social settings are also in force in Catalonia, for which reference is made to the website of the Generalitat and to that of the Consulate General of Italy in Barcelona.

• The detailed situation of each Autonomous Community is available at this page.

• The official protocols of the Spanish Ministry of Health can be consulted at this page.

• Questions and answers on the coronavirus are available at the following link.

• Information in languages other than Spanish is available at this page of the Ministry of Health.

• General updates on the situation in Spain can be consulted at this link.

SITUATION IN ITALY DUE TO COVID-19

• As for Italy, the Council of Ministers approved, in the session of 7 October, the extension of the state of emergency until 31 January 2021 and approved Decree-Law no. 125 of 7 October 2020. Furthermore, the President of the Council of Ministers has signed the DPCM of 13 October 2020 on measures to fight and contain the Covid-19 emergency, in force from 14 October to 13 November, replacing the DPCM of 7 August 2020 as extended by the DPCM of 7 September 2020. New measures have been adopted in the areas of education, public transport, work, catering, events and sports with the new DPCM of 18 October 2020, also in force until 13 November 2020.

• In particular, the new measures have extended until 31 January 2021 the provisions already in force which allow the Government to adopt measures aimed at containing and combating the health risks arising from the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Decree has also introduced the obligation to wear a mask even outdoors and in indoor places other than private homes and extends the period of use of the Immuni app.

• The DPCM of 13 October 2020 regulates, in particular, travel to and from Italy from 14 October to 13 November 2020, resuming and partly amending the previous legislation. This Decree also determines lists by country, for which different limitations are provided. For further details, see this page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To consult the current legislation, see this collection of the Gazzetta Ufficiale.

• Under the DPCM of 13 October, those who enter national territory after having stayed or transited through Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic and Spain in the previous 14 days are obliged to undergo a coronavirus test. 

In detail, two options are provided (alternative to each other):

a) present to the carrier at the time of boarding and to any authority responsible for carrying out checks proof of having undergone, a molecular or antigen test, carried out by swab and with a negative result, in the 72 hours prior to entering national territory;

b) undergo a molecular or antigen test, by swab, upon arrival at the airport, port or border, whenever possible, or within 48 hours from arrival in national territory before the relevant local health authority. Pending undergoing the test before the relevant local health authority, persons must observe fiduciary isolation in their own home or accommodation. In order to check the possible capacity of Italian airports and ports to carry out such rapid tests upon arrival, it is advisable to consult the websites of such facilities or those of the relevant Regions.

Provided that no COVID-19 symptoms arise and that there have been no stays or transits in one or more countries included in list F (Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic) in the 14 days prior to entry into Italy, without prejudice to the obligations of self-declaration as well as of communication of entry from abroad into national territory, the provisions concerning the testing obligation (upon return from Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain) DO NOT apply:

The testing obligation (upon return from Belgium, Spain, France, Netherlands, Czech Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) also does not apply:

• For the procedure relating to the participation of Spanish operators in trade fair events in Italy see this page.

• Further limitations may be imposed for specific areas of national territory or specific limitations in relation to the origin of specific foreign States and territories. Regions may therefore individually impose, on those arriving from certain foreign States or territories, compliance with specific obligations. Before departing for Italy, it is recommended to check any additional provisions of the destination regions, by contacting them directly or visiting their respective websites.

• Anyone entering Italy from anywhere abroad (including from other EU countries) must submit to the carrier or to the police, in case of checks, a self-declaration according to the updated form.

• For people going abroad or having to return to Italy, a questionnaire based on current Italian legislation is available. The questionnaire is purely informational, has no legal value and the result obtained does not guarantee entry into Italy or into the destination country. Click here to view the questionnaire.

• The prohibition on leaving one's home or residence for persons placed in quarantine by decision of the health authorities for testing positive for the COVID-19 virus is confirmed, until recovery has been verified or admission to a health facility or equivalent centre.  

• To ensure the gradual recovery of tourist flows under conditions of maximum safety for visitors arriving from other European Union countries, specific guidelines have been adopted for the reopening of economic and productive activities, which have been approved by the Government in agreement with the Regions. A monitoring committee has also been set up, composed of the Ministry of Health, the Higher Institute of Health and the Regions, which continues to monitor the epidemiological evolution throughout the country. Further useful information is available on this page. 

• Additional information updated in real time is available on the "Viaggiare Sicuri" website of the Farnesina.

•  General updates on the situation in Italy are available at this link.

Place: Rome/Madrid

Author: Embassy of Italy in Madrid