OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Lockdowns and Reopenings.

[JabbaPapa]

A complicated article concerning post-state of alarm measures in Spain can be found here : https://english.elpais.com/society/...et-to-take-key-role-with-express-rulings.html

What it appears to boil down to is that the regions do seem to have accepted that the regional lockdowns will indeed end on May 9th, but that they want to retain the ability to impose local municipal lockdowns as well as curfew restrictions. This is not unexpected to those of us who have been following this.

As to the Camino specifically, Navarra has openly declared its intention to cease its regional lockdown on May 9th (hooray !!) (but a few Municipalities are still in lockdown).

Castilla y León appears to be reopening on May 9th ; and La Rioja is ending its regional lockdown on the same date. Given the standing tolerance for foot pilgrims ONLY to cross into Galicia from Castilla y León (even assuming Galicia didn't follow suit), well :

From May 9th, the Camino Francès from Roncesvalles (or SJPP with the correct sanitary certification) will be open to Pilgrims (able to travel) along its entire length !! (except any Municipalities locally in lockdown)

 

[JabbaPapa]

The 5-day quarantine measure for travel from EU countries has in Italy been extended to 15th May.

There are complicated exemptions, please see above in the thread for details.

 

[Kathor1]

Gosh, this news is already 29 hours old but it seems to have barely registered on the Richter scale of global news: the EU added Israel to their recommended list of countries from where travellers on non-essential trips ought to be allowed to enter the EU+ area.

The list includes now Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Ruanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand; and also China if there were reciprocity. Nobody else so far. EU countries have not yet agreed among themselves which criteria and conditions will be used in future.

They weren't even in a rush to publish the official EU text today but there is an official press release: EU Council adds Israel to the list of countries for which member states should gradually lift restrictions on non-essential travel.

Spain's entry ban on foreign travellers from outside of the EU is still set by their Orden INT/657/2020, last updated on 30 April 2021 and currently valid until the end of May.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Nobody else so far. I guess that's because the EU countries have not yet agreed among themselves which criteria and conditions will be used in future.

They have -- but as I tried to point out in an earlier post, the agreement is at the Union level only, whereas each individual Member State will take some time to both implement and adapt the general rules that have been agreed upon in principle, to their own national rules, laws, and requirements.

There will be differences between how each EU country implements the criteria, and it won't be one size fits all. In particular, precise reopening dates and quarantine rules and so on are liable to vary ; but the general principles of the reopening and the border passes and so on have been agreed upon.

As always then, Pilgrims should consult the information provided by their country of destination.

 

[JabbaPapa]

It is confirmed that NO regional lockdowns will persist from May 9th. Only the Basque Country requested it, and was turned down by the Court.

Some individual Municipalities will remain in lockdown, and some curfew rules will persist -- but these are unlikely to affect very many pilgrims.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Here is an overview of what restrictions will remain after May 9th :

After the state of alarm: Which coronavirus restrictions are in place in each Spanish region?

There are currently no limits on inter-regional travel, but the courts are yet to decide on whether to approve other measures aimed at curbing the pandemic

english.elpais.com

Notably Jaca remains in lockdown, as well as a rather large area between Zaragoza and Logroño.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Several regions want some curfew restrictions to be reinstated.

As these are not illegal outside of the State of Alarm, I would suppose that these requests will succeed.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I forgot to mention that Nájera on the Camino Francès remains in lockdown.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Navarra has abandoned its plan to try and maintain curfew restrictions.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The UK will allow international travel from May 17th.

Spain will allow travellers to enter from the UK without the need for a negative Covid test from May 20th (although there remain testing requirements for travel from Spain to the UK).

The final problem is that there continues to be a requirement of a 10-day quarantine for those travelling from Spain to the UK.

 

[Kathor1]

For everyone's information and entertainment , here is what the Spanish government said at yesterday's press conference, in the person of tourism minister Reyes Maroto.

We have to review Recommendation 912 which, as you know, regulates non-essential travel from countries outside the European Union and this includes the United Kingdom. The good news is that the review of this Recommendation is progressing. Our forecast is that the Recommendation 912 could be approved around the 20th of May. This would allow the British market to be opened up so that the British can come to Spain. Furthermore, according to the current epidemiological data, the United Kingdom would be within Annex 1 and therefore would be excluded even from the PCR. They could come from the 20th of May onwards without PCR since the incidence rates are below the range that is currently being revised, which would be around the index of 50 for the incidence rate. I think it is also good news that Spain is very actively involved in the revision of this Recommendation. The Member States are already reviewing it and tomorrow [Wednesday 12 May] we could have a first agreement in Coreper, which will allow us, as I said, to have freedom of mobility between the United Kingdom and Spain from the 20th of May, which are the dates we foresee for the approval of the Recommendation in the Council. The good news is that the British will be able to leave the United Kingdom on the 17th of May. The British will be able to leave the United Kingdom after the limitations that the British government has imposed on its residents, which is undoubtedly good news, as I have said. With the revision of Recommendation 912, the British will be able to come to Spain from the 20th of May if the Recommendation is approved on those dates. With the drop in the incidence and the increase in vaccination, which is the taxonomy we already know to be able to work with, we are quite optimistic that the next revision by the Taskforce in Spain will be in the green and therefore we will be able to receive the British market, which is our issuing market.​

​

Source: Press conference of 11 May 2021. Patiently watched, transcript carefully typed - thank goodness for auto-generated Spanish subtitles and slow playback speeds - and extract translated with the help of Deepl.com.

 

[JabbaPapa]

In Italy, the only remaining region on the Francigena routes to require a "green pass" or paper certification to travel into neighbouring regions is Valle d'Aosta.

Italy may be imminently removing the quarantine requirements for travellers arriving from other EU countries. Decision due tomorrow. (see the complex rules for it in a previous post)

 

[Kathor1]

A Google News article of today addresses the fact that things are not as clear as initially thought:

despite Portugal also saying they are ready to welcome Brits back this month, EU rules could mean the country is forced to turn away holidaymakers. According to The Times, as Lisbon holds the EU presidency, it will be difficult to reverse the EU ban on member states which is currently recommended. A senior Portuguese official told the Times: "If they don’t resolve it the alternative will be thousands of British visitors being turned away at the airport, which is not a good scenario." Under current EU restrictions, only people from seven countries, including Australia and Singapore, are allowed to enter the bloc for non-essential reasons.​

Go by what is official and not by what you read in the news, or in selected news posted on the forum, often based on vague pronouncements by government ministers. And remember the mantra that every border has two sides.

PS: Edited. Now it sounds less entertaining and less not so serious.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

When someone has something to point out here , PLEASE use the official government websites

 

[JabbaPapa]

These matters are always confusing, but the basis is still that each country is sovereign over its entry requirements, except that internal cross-border travel inside the EU, Schengen Area, EEA, and a few associated countries and territories is regulated mainly by the common EU Law and the freedom of movement principle.

So that a particular Member State could allow incoming travel from more countries than are generally permitted in the EU as a whole.

But yes, it is a good idea for the time being that Pilgrims in the UK be cautious with their travel planning.

 

[Kathor1]

What I pointed out earlyer use only official country websites. There is to much talk and not only about lockdowns.

I'm all for it. I hardly ever post something here that I have not checked beforehand on gob.es, gov.pt, boe.es, europa.eu (eur-lex, consilium and so on), legifrance.gouv.fr

On this basis, I consider reliable summaries in English-speaking media as helpful for pilgrims' planning and information but I don't have to do that if that's the general wish.

 

[Bristle Boy]

Just a final (public) thank you to @JabbaPapa for his efforts in rolling that boulder up and down the hill. His efforts in keeping everyone informed and firmly focussed on the lockdowns as they affect the Camino de Santiago are appreciated.

 

[Bristle Boy]

I'm all for it. I hardly ever post something here that I have not checked beforehand on gob.es, gov.pt, boe.es, europa.eu (eur-lex, consilium and so on), legifrance.gouv.fr

On this basis, I consider reliable summaries in English-speaking media as helpful for pilgrims' planning and information but I don't have to do that if that's the general wish.

As an aside.
Your research skills and information gathering are without peer. Your posts in clarity and your ability to do so in a second language is stellar.
This is a global forum which will one day return to some semblance of normality and will rely on reciprocity and agreement. It is a job done better together than apart.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Portugal's State of Alarm was extended to May 30th -- that's the core reason for the sudden changes there regarding international travel into the country.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Starting from tomorrow, May 16th, the quarantine restrictions for travellers to Italy from the EU & Schengen Area (including Switzerland) plus UK and Israel are lifted. The negative test requirement is maintained, with presumably the usual exception for arrivals by land travel. The Valle d'Aosta remains in semi-lockdown, so that proof of vaccine, a negative test, or proof of having recovered from Covid19 remains necessary to enter or leave that region, nationally or internationally.

Further relaxations are to be announced in the next few days, and the expectation seems to be that the semi-lockdown of Valle d'Aosta will not last much more longer than another week.

 

[Kathor1]

When someone has something to point out here , PLEASE use the official government websites

Your appeal is fine. However, much of what gets posted in this Lockdown 2 thread and in the old Lockdowns thread and in other threads, and is accurate, is taken from news media because it often gets published first in the media and then on official government websites, sometimes with a delay of one or two days or even more.

Portugal is an up-to-date example for this. Viewers and readers of yesterday's news in Portugal and in the UK may know. After the most recent change and/or clarification of official policy, it is now common knowledge, and I quote verbatim, that non-essential travels from UK are allowed to enter Portugal as of the 00:00 of 17th of May, but must present proof of a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before boarding time. Try to find this information on Portuguese government websites or in the Diário da República and you will come up empty-handed. You can find the sentence on the Visit Portugal website but how "official government" is that? There is no "gov" in the url.

A better advice would be to not grab the first news article read on a website or seen in an item from this morning's Facebook feed and rush to post it here on the forum but to first dig a bit deeper and a bit wider and then post something that rests on a broader and more informed basis of general or current knowledge.

 

[Kathor1]

A better advice would be to not grab the first news article read on a website or item from this morning's Facebook feed and rush to post it here on the forum but to first dig a bit deeper and a bit wider and then post something that rests on a more informed basis of general or current knowledge.

PS: There is a fundamental difference between information about health (Covid-19 related) aspects and information about travel aspects. Rely on wrong information about the latter and all you risk is losing money and some disappointment that you will have to further postpone your Camino. Rely on wrong information about the former and you risk losing your health or cause someone else to loose their health.

Generally accepted standards for posting about health related information are higher than those for travel related information.

 

[Kathor1]

BTW, one reason for frequent misunderstandings in the past is this: people write or read that as of midnight tomorrow travellers from ABC-land will no longer have to go into a 10 days quarantine when arriving in DEF-land.

They conclude that everyone from ABC-land can now travel to DEF-land without having to go into quarantine. They don't see the context: it may simply mean that all the travellers from ABC-land who are already entitled to travel to DEF-land because they enjoy special rights will now be exempt of quarantine. All the others still have to stay at home in ABC-land.

 

[Marbe2]

As things evolve we will likely see more ups and downs.

Fears loom in Spanish tourism industry as restrictions in Britain, Germany threaten summer rebound

Visitors from both countries are key to the success of Spain’s high season and its economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis

english.elpais.com

 

[Bristle Boy]

As things evolve we will likely see more ups and downs.

Fears loom in Spanish tourism industry as restrictions in Britain, Germany threaten summer rebound

Visitors from both countries are key to the success of Spain’s high season and its economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis

english.elpais.com

Or as we say "There is many a slip twixt cup and lip".

An area of concern at the moment in the UK, as far as the current situation is concerned, is the so called Indian variant.
The rhetoric (I feel) has become more cautious in the last few days.
We have been reminded that everything is fluid and subject to change.

 

[Arn]

Your appeal is fine. However, much of what gets posted in this Lockdown 2 thread and in the old Lockdowns thread and in other threads, and is accurate, is taken from news media because it often gets published first in the media and then on official government websites, sometimes with a delay of one or two days or even more.

Portugal is an up-to-date example for this. Viewers and readers of yesterday's news in Portugal and in the UK may know. After the most recent change and/or clarification of official policy, it is now common knowledge, and I quote verbatim, that non-essential travels from UK are allowed to enter Portugal as of the 00:00 of 17th of May, but must present proof of a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before boarding time. Try to find this information on Portuguese government websites or in the Diário da República and you will come up empty-handed. You can find the sentence on the Visit Portugal website but how "official government" is that? There is no "gov" in the url.

A better advice would be to not grab the first news article read on a website or seen in an item from this morning's Facebook feed and rush to post it here on the forum but to first dig a bit deeper and a bit wider and then post something that rests on a broader and more informed basis of general or current knowledge.

In my old job, the standard rule about any information presented to decision-makers is “must be from at least three totally independent sources” none of which can be anonymous. The least valuable sources: the news media, government public announcements.

 

[Marbe2]

I appreciate all of these alerts about openings and closings. It is up to each of us to stay informed and discern though various sources what is accurate. I think posters have been quite responsible to date.

 

[Tantalu]

What about municipal albuergues? Will they be open as well?

 

[Bristle Boy]

When quoting from newspapers (no matter how high the quality you think they are) it is worth remembering that their prime objective is to sell them.
When it comes to accuracy that might depend on the length of a journalist's lunch and whether they can curb the need to unleash their inner Nostradamus,

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I appreciate your positive outlook @Marbe2.
I find it extremely difficult to discern through various sources what is accurate and it is frustrating for me to put faith in much of what we hear. As our news keeps changing, I am no longer chomping at the bit about when my next Camino will be as I have no idea. I realize I am being rather negative for now. In the mean time I continue to watch, wait, and see.
That said, I look forward to eventually hearing good reports of forum members from far and wide experiencing successful pilgrimages in Spain and other EU countries...my enthusiasm will then be reignited.

 

[wayfarer]

I try to avoid anything Covid related other than for moderating but I would rate Katharina and Jabba's information to be as good as it gets on here.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I try to avoid anything Covid related other than for moderating but I would rate Katharina and Jabba's information to be as good as it gets on here.

You are a wise man, @wayfarer.
I agree! They both put in a lot of time researching and informing as best they can and it definitely is as good as it gets. It's nice there are a few who do not get as exasperated as me on this subject!

 

[C clearly]

I am no longer chomping at the bit about when my next Camino will be as I have no idea. I realize I am being rather negative for now.

I don't see why that change in attitude should be considered negative. It sounds a lot like acceptance and patience!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I don't see why that change in attitude should be considered negative. It sounds a lot like acceptance and patience!

Well it is a rather "unhappy acceptance" on my part. I chose to say negative as I think many forum members would see my post in that way...thank you, @Cclearly, for turning my words into somewhat more of a positive.

 

[Isca-camigo]

I forgot to mention that Nájera on the Camino Francès remains in lockdown.

Alvaro Lazaga stayed there today

 

[JabbaPapa]

Slightly off topic, but :

Use of masks outdoors in Spain could be relaxed in the coming days, health official announces

The coronavirus measure could soon be relaxed provided epidemiological data continues to improve and other restrictions stay in place, says the government’s chief epidemiologist Fernando Simón

english.elpais.com

As the country’s coronavirus data improves thanks to the vaccination drive, the Spanish Health Ministry is considering reducing some of the Covid-19 restrictions that are currently in place. That’s according to Fernando Simón, the director of the Health Ministry’s Coordination Center for Health Alerts (CCAES), who held a press conference on Monday evening to present the latest report on the epidemic. The government’s chief epidemiologist announced that “it is very possible” that the obligatory use of masks outdoors will be revised “in just a few days.”

He continued saying that he would “not give a date” for the deescalation of this particular measure, but that “it is true that it is possible that we will not take long to be able to make clear proposals for retracting the use of masks in specific situations.” But he warned that this “does not mean that the rest of the measures will not be left in place.”

 

[VNwalking]

I am no longer chomping at the bit about when my next Camino will be as I have no idea. I realize I am being rather negative for now. In the mean time I continue to watch, wait, and see

I'm with @C clearly. This is simple (and mature) patience, not negative at all, Chris. Which is not to say it's fun. Delayed gratification, when it comes, will be sweet indeed!

 

[JabbaPapa]

The UK position towards travel to, say, France or Spain has finally been clarified.

Travel into the non-"green" countries is only discouraged, not forbidden nor prevented.

This "colour" system dictates quarantine & testing measures upon return to the UK, but has no legal incidence upon outbound travel to the EU.

 

[VNwalking]

Travel into the non-"green" countries is only discouraged, not forbidden nor prevented.

Yes, and:

Covid still a threat to Europe – travel should be avoided, says WHO

Vaccines work against new variants but ‘increased mobility may lead to more transmission’

www.theguardian.com

Here is the original press release:

Statement – COVID-19: A fragile progress

20 May 2021, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

www.euro.who.int

In this press release, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe said, amongst other things (emphasis mine):

As several countries in our region are currently scaling up testing for citizens to access cultural, social and entertainment venues, we must remember that there is no such thing as zero risk. Alongside this, only 23% of people in the Region have had a single dose of vaccine, while 11% have completed their vaccine series. We still have some distance to cover before those eligible in the Region receive their vaccine doses.

Neither testing nor receiving vaccines, is a substitute for adherence to measures such as physical distancing and mask wearing in public spaces or health-care settings.

Most of us are still susceptible to the virus and not vaccinated yet. Right now, in the face of a continued threat and new uncertainty, we need to continue to exercise caution, and rethink or avoid international travel. Vaccines may be a light at the end of the tunnel – but we cannot be blinded by that light.

Some assume that if travel is legal it must then be safe. We must each make up our own minds, and if I were thinking of travelling, I would be listening to the docs at the WHO more than governments with an agenda about opening up. We need to keep our eyes open, so I'm very grateful for the posters here on the Forum who keep posting up-to-date and accurate information.

 

[Bristle Boy]

Yes, and:

Covid still a threat to Europe – travel should be avoided, says WHO

Vaccines work against new variants but ‘increased mobility may lead to more transmission’

www.theguardian.com

Here is the original press release:

Statement – COVID-19: A fragile progress

20 May 2021, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

www.euro.who.int

In this press release, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe said, amongst other things (emphasis mine):


Some assume that if travel is legal it must then be safe. We must each make up our own minds, and if I were thinking of travelling, I would be listening to the docs at the WHO more than governments with an agenda about opening up. We need to keep our eyes open, so I'm very grateful for the posters here on the Forum who keep posting up-to-date and accurate information.

Could not agree more.

 

[Marbe2]

I agree with the need for Caution. But based upon the science, if Spain opens up to Americans, I, currently, see no reason, not to travel to Spain in September.
I will, however, certainly reevaluate If circumstances change. There is no variant that the vaccine can’t currently handle. Therefore us two shot folks, as long as we mindfully practice social distancing, eat outside, where a mask inside when others are around who may not be vaccinated, and wash our hands frequently...we will be fine! I for one, am beginning to increase my prep mileage! Working on new shoes...

 

[Kathor1]

Spain's entry ban on foreign travellers from outside of the EU is still set by their Orden INT/657/2020, last updated on 30 April 2021 and currently valid until the end of May.

The decree on Spain's entry ban for foreign travellers from outside of the EU was modified today: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been added to the list of countries that are exempt from the ban, and Japan has been also added. The decree will enter into force at 00:00 hours on 24 May 2021.

The other countries that are classified by Spain as safe countries from where travellers can go on non-essential trips to Spain remain on the list: Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Ruanda, Singapur, South Korea, Thailand and China.

See Orden INT/657/2020, last updated on 21 May 2021.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The decree on Spain's entry ban for foreign travellers from outside of the EU was modified today: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been added to the list of countries that are exempt from the ban, and Japan has been also added. The decree will enter into force at 00:00 hours on 24 May 2021.

The other countries that are classified by Spain as safe countries from where travellers can go on non-essential trips to Spain remain on the list: Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Ruanda, Singapur, South Korea, Thailand and China.

See Orden INT/657/2020, last updated on 21 May 2021.

It is worth pointing out that this is not just an exemption from the ban, but that travellers from those places are under no Covid19-related restrictions nor requirements at all (no need for a vaccine certificate nor negative test), except that the Health Form will still need to be completed by those arriving in ports and airports --

Travelers from the UK will be able to freely enter Spain from Monday with no restrictions and no coronavirus test

Speaking on Friday at the Fitur tourism fair, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in English that the country “will be delighted to receive British tourists”

english.elpais.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1395693280353001474

 

[Kathor1]

It is worth pointing out that this is not just an exemption from the ban, but that travellers from those places are under no Covid19-related restrictions nor requirements at all (no need for a vaccine certificate nor negative test), except that the Health Form will still need to be completed by those arriving in ports and airports --

Good point.

And a minor point: This Spanish decree Orden INT/657/2020, updated on 21 May 2021, is currently set to expire on the 31st of May 2021. In the past, they've prolonged it at regular intervals but it could be different this time.

Another minor point: Some things will change again on the 7th of June 2021 when everyone with the required vaccination history will be allowed to enter Spain from anywhere (according to the big announcement by Pedro Sanchez yesterday, finer details unknown as the decree has not yet been published) and again on the 1st of July 2021 when the two regulations about the EU Digital Covid certificates will enter into force; this, however, will mainly concern travel without restrictions, or at least fewer restrictions than now, for people who live in the EU or who are already there legally, either as residents or tourists; it does not concern entering the EU from the outside (final drafts already published).

 

[JabbaPapa]

The semi-lockdown in Valle d'Aosta in Italy is ending, so that from tomorrow there will be no internal travel restrictions in Italy.

 

[Marbe2]

I really appreciate your keeping us up to date on these various changes!

 

[JabbaPapa]

Nájera on the Camino Francès is no longer in lockdown.

Jaca on the Aragonès, and Alagón and Gallur on the Camí Catalan via Lleida & the Ignaciano are still in lockdown ; but now there are ways to walk around the latter freely, albeit either on tarmac ; or on a mix of tarmac and some iffy DIY either in hills north of Zaragoza to get 'round a large military zone, or south west 'round the airport. Either option is a somewhat lengthy detour, but it is now possible to lawfully avoid bussing or training it. More pueblos and less tarmac if you DIY it properly on the southern option, but it looks to be a bit more time-consuming.

Avoiding Jaca on the Way down from the Somport is not too hard, albeit tarmac + DIY, whereas the Catalan via Huesca avoids it anyway.

 

[JabbaPapa]

France is very likely to impose a 10-day quarantine on travellers arriving from the UK.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

France is very likely to impose a 10-day quarantine on travellers arriving from the UK.

Well, they are a motley crew, aren't they?

 

[Marbe2]

France is very likely to impose a 10-day quarantine on travellers arriving from the UK.

What is going on?

 

[Kathor1]

Well, they are a motley crew, aren't they?

France is not alone. Since two days ago, Germany has severely restricted flights from the UK: airlines and bus and train companies are only allowed to transport German nationals, and those with a right of residency in Germany, from the UK to Germany, and these travellers have to quarantine for 14 days (everyone without exceptions); Austria issued the same rules, valid as of 1 June, meaning no airline travel from the UK to Austria except for passengers who are Austrian nationals or residents of Austria, I don't know about their quarantine rules. So they are even more restrictive than France and obviously more restrictive than Spain and Portugal.

 

[Marbe2]

WHY?

 

[Marc S.]

WHY?

Because of fears about the spread of the Indian variant in the UK.
Apart from the three countries mentioned, I have not seen a similar reaction from other countries. Dutch government stated it sees no reason to forbid flights from the UK yet

 

[Marbe2]

As I recall recently, Brits were not being required to show proof of vaccination..as are Americans and other nations. Why not just require everyone to show they were vaccinated if they want to travel? The AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna are all apparently effective against the Indian Variant.

 

[Marc S.]

Why not just require everyone to show they were vaccinated if they want to travel?

The AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna are all apparently effective against the Indian Variant.

I can not speak on behalf of the German or French government. However. Preliminary evidence seems to suggest the COVID-19 vaccines make it less likely someone who’s vaccinated will transmit the coronavirus, but there is still no 100 % proof. So vaccinated tourists to (let's say) Germany can still transmit the virus to unvaccinated Germans. This would be a setback,, particularly because the Indian variant seems to be more infectious. So I guess it is a case of governments wanting to 'better safe than sorry'. Also, if I remember well, Pfizer and Astra Zebica were almost as effective against the Indiant variant, and even then I think the studies still need to be peer reviewed. (which in this case may also be a reason to be 'better safe than sorry').

 

[JabbaPapa]

WHY?

My answer to that particular question would seriously violate forum rules.

 

[Isca-camigo]

WHY?

The UK govt dashboard shows hospital admissions and people on ventilators slightly rising after plateauing for about a week or two, it could be a blip, putting the brakes on freedom of access for UK citizens is probably a sensible thing for the Germans and French to do. We just have to keep vaccinating and wait.

UKHSA data dashboard

Showing public health data across England

coronavirus.data.gov.uk

 

[JabbaPapa]

WHY?

Well, a part of it is that France has since 2020 been implementing tit-for-tat border control measures when travel from France is restricted.

So France may be implementing this 10-day quarantine in response to the fact the UK imposes one on travellers from France.

 

[Kathor1]

Apart from the three countries mentioned, I have not seen a similar reaction from other countries. Dutch government stated it sees no reason to forbid flights from the UK yet

That is correct. However, I start to wonder whether it is even news that France imposes quarantine on UK travellers and whether the news is only that they prolong their existing rule about quarantine from 31 May onwards and that it will be 10 days instead of 7 days currently? Because what I see is that travellers from the UK to France had to quarantine anyway for 7 days during the last few months (see website of French Consulate in London).

I've stopped following all these developments in greater detail because I won't travel anyway in the next few weeks but here's the current Eurostar info, and they are pretty up to date all the time. Also, if I have this right: Belgium and the Netherlands allow only essential travel from the UK while France had lifted this requirement some time ago.

 

[Kathor1]

We may have to live for another month with this patchwork of rules.

Hopefully, from the 1st of July onwards, rules for travel within the EU/Schengen area as well as into the area will be more uniform. I had my second Covid-19 vaccination yesterday and I am now the proud owner of TWO cardboard cards to proof it . Nothing digital to put on my smartphone yet but hopefully it is only a matter of weeks if not days before this option is made available.

 

[Marbe2]

We may have to live for another month with this patchwork of rules.

Hopefully, from the 1st of July onwards, rules for travel within the EU/Schengen area as well as into the area will be more uniform. I had my second Covid-19 vaccination yesterday and I am now the proud owner of TWO cardboard cards to proof it . Nothing digital to put on my smartphone yet but hopefully it is only a matter of weeks if not days before this option is made available.

Glad you are now double jabbed!

 

[JabbaPapa]

The French "vaccine passport" has been approved by their Parliament as a temporary measure valid until September only. It includes being able to obtain it from proof of recovery from the Covid19 SARS disease, plus proof of vaccination or of recent negative test certification.

 

[Kathor1]

Spain's entry ban on foreign travellers from outside of the EU is still set by their Orden INT/657/2020, last updated on 30 April 2021 and currently valid until the end of May.

Somewhat surprisingly, Orden INT/657/2020, due to expire at the end of May, has been prolonged today. It is now due to expire on 24:00 on 30 June 2021. This is the by now familiar Spanish entry ban on foreign travellers from outside of the EU with its general exception only for travellers from the 10 countries on their 'green' list.

I've not yet seen the decree for the 7th of June when vaccinated travellers from around the world will be allowed to enter Spain but it ought to be published soon.

 

[Marbe2]

As an American, I know that some will strongly disagree with the following statement. No tourist from the USA should be allowed to travel to Europe this Summer/Fall without being vaccinated. Every person who wants a vaccine can get it and is not a matter of exclusion of the haves verses the have nots. Whatever their reasons are for not getting vaccinated, fear, medical, political or religious, I respect their choice. I accept their reasoned decision based upon their circumstances. However, If one is not vaccinated, this year (not forever), American tourists should be banned from going abroad.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Jaca is out of lockdown.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The current rules for travel to France from the UK, from today, are as follows :

As of Monday, only EU nationals, French citizens, residents of France or another EU country, or those travelling for essential reasons will be allowed to travel to France. Those allowed to travel will have to take a PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours prior to departure. On arrival in France, they will be required to self-isolate for seven days. It is possible to request an exemption from quarantine, which might be acceptable in the situations of those seeking to stay one night only in SJPP before leaving the country ?

Somewhat paradoxically, the official Government website states that given the very low levels of infection in the UK, systematic checks that people are obeying quarantine rules will not be put in place.

 

[Kathor1]

I listened to an interview that French politician Clément Beaune gave today. It's a little clearer now how things are going to work, at least in France.

This concerns French and European nationals/residents.

At the national level, the French digital "sanipass" QR code will serve for allowing access to large scale events with more than 1000 people. At the European level, the national French QR code will be slightly transformed by the app (due to stricter data protection requirements at EU level). This QR code can be scanned by border control staff in say airports in Lisbon or Athens or in international train and bus stations; border control will be able to see 'green/ok' or 'red/not ok', without access to personal health data. Obviously, the PRC certificates and the recovery certificates expire after a certain time.

At the EU/international level, it will be used by France in this way: every French/European person who wants to travel to France must have a certificate, either digital or in paper form, containing information about either vaccination, recent PRC test, or recovery from recent Covid-19 illness. France will only recognise vaccines approved by EMA. Those who have been vaccinated with a Russian/Chinese/etc vaccine must get a recent PCR certificate, just like those who are not vaccinated and those who do not have proof of recovery from a recent Covid-19 illness.

He was not asked and didn't say whether some people will be completely exempted from these obligations, as it is currently the case for travellers from New Zealand, Thailand and a few other countries. But that is non-EU anyway.

 

[Kathor1]

Saw this comment on Twitter, and it's accurate:

UK arrivals don’t need a PCR test at all for Spain, a PCR for Portugal, no PCR if vaccinated in Greece, but banned from Germany and Austria completely.​

​

This is nearly as good as the old days were, with these dozens of small to medium-sized countries and all their borders.

 

[Esauro57]

There is no variant that the vaccine can’t currently handle.

That is the question...Indian, African, Brazilian, and cross breeds... still can make you sick ...and end your Camino...even if you have 2 doses... but you will be able to better cope with the infection if you get it...Santiago protects his pilgrims... but we must give him a hand in doing so ... ;-) better wait a bit longer and let more people ALL Over the world be vaccinated...remember we all live together in a big blue marble...and we are all pilgrims on this planet...

 

[JabbaPapa]

Three Italian regions have gone in their colour system to white, meaning no more curfew and mainly just masking and no large gatherings. None of these regions have many pilgrims, though on 7th June three more regions will go white, including Liguria (coastal Francigena).

Also on 7th June, the curfew elsewhere will shift to midnight.

The current plan is that all of Italy will turn white and curfew will end on June 21st.

The French curfew will shift from 9PM to 11PM on 9th June, and indoor service in bars and restaurants will also return on that date.

As I suspected, the extension of the Spanish entry ban on non-essential travel from outside of the EU is in fact from an EU-wide mandate, whereby all non-essential travel is prevented from outside the EU, except for EU and EU travel area nationals & residents etc., due to expire on June 30th -- and with the various third country exceptions already discussed ; for Spain particularly.

And from 1st July, all travellers with a "vaccine passport" will be able to travel into the EU, though I'm sure there will be exceptions, and we'll see if negative tests or proof of having recovered from the disease will be accepted.

Entry into and exit from Portugal over the land border is now unrestricted, but the ban on non-essential travel remains for those entering by air.

The Spanish regions of Madrid and Castlla-La Mancha have both requested that June shall be the final month of mandatory masking in Spain.

 

[Marbe2]

Thank you Jabba Pappa. This seems definitive..essentially no european tourists until July 1st. So did all the member counties agree to this? I am not up on how we got from EU indicating that-each country deciding for themselves when to reopen to non EU members to an EU ban on these self-same potential visitors? And the reason......
Is is a fear of the new strain, or is it a realization that they are not prepared to deal with the potential nightmare at customs and airports?

 

[JabbaPapa]

I am not up on how we got from EU indicating that-each country deciding for themselves when to reopen to non EU members to an EU ban on these self-same potential visitors?

Well, although this is a EU mandate, each EU Member State can also set its own rules that depart from the collective mandate -- as for example the lack of restrictions on entry into Spain from the UK, or the greater restrictions for entry into Germany.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The EU has decided not to add the UK to its "white list" of countries from which non-essential travel is permitted into the EU (except into countries such as Spain and Portugal, that unilaterally allow it). The list will be reviewed on June 14th.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Portugal has been removed as a country from where travellers to the UK can avoid a quarantine. No countries shall be added to the exemption list before June 28th at earliest.

As a reminder, people are NOT restricted from travelling outside the UK except into such countries as France that have forbidden it. These UK measures involve travel not from, but into the UK.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The final remaining municipal lockdowns in Aragón have come to an end.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The entry requirements for travel to Spain for the vaccinated from June 7th have been clarified -- it will be necessary to have been fully vaccinated using one of those approved in the EU, so in most cases both jabs, at least 14 days before date of travel.

 

[Kathor1]

Japan:

• The EU has put Japan back on their recommended and legally non-binding white list of countries as of 3 June 2021; there are currently 9 countries on the EU white list, including Australia and New Zealand, but not the UK, Canada and the USA. (9395/21)
  
  
• Spain had already put Japan on their legally binding white list as of 24 May 2021; there are currently 10 countries on their list, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but not Canada and the USA. Travellers flying from countries on the Spanish white list do not have to have a PCR test nor proof of vaccination when they arrive at a Spanish airport and they do not need to self-isolate after arrival. (INT/484/2021)

Brasil and South Africa:

• Spain has prolonged their strong ban on flights from Brasil and South Africa until 22 June 2021 (PCM/545/2021)

EU countries and Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway plus Switzerland:

• Go to Reopen Europe. Nearly everyone has to have a PCR test when travelling to Spain, whether vaccinated or not.

USA, Canada, UK and Rest of The World:

• General entry ban recommended by the EU; put into law by Spain until 30 June 2021 with the exception of the UK whose travellers are currently exempt from this entry ban as far as Spain is concerned. (INT/657/2020)

The Whole World:

• There are still hopes that Spain will put into law what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced earlier in May: that travellers from the EU and from the USA and from most if not all other countries of the world who are vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to enter Spain as of 7 June 2021 - no PCR test, no self-isolation, just proof of vaccination required. No such decree has been published to date.

 

[JabbaPapa]

An article has been published detailing current permissions and restrictions from region to region.

The map of the latest Covid-19 restrictions in Spain and infection rates in each region

A guide to what you can and cannot do in each part of the country following the end of the state of alarm on May 9

english.elpais.com

Handle with care to the degree that the colour scheme on the map is now redder than it was ; compare for example to :

The map in that article is IMO overly confusing.

But the text content is OTOH quite good.

 

[Kathor1]

USA, Canada, UK and Rest of The World:

• General entry ban recommended by the EU; put into law by Spain until 30 June 2021 with the exception of the UK whose travellers are currently exempt from this entry ban as far as Spain is concerned. (INT/657/2020)

Spain's general entry ban INT/657/2020 is amended by Orden INT/552/2021 of 4 June 2021. I've not digested all the implications in detail. An important passage is this addition:

k) Personas provistas de un certificado de vacunación que el Ministerio de Sanidad reconozca con este fin, previa comprobación por las autoridades sanitarias, así como los menores acompañantes a los que el Ministerio de Sanidad extienda los efectos.​

This means in particular and in the given context: As of Monday 7 June 2021, persons who travel to Spain from non-EU countries such as the USA, Canada or Mexico, to name but a few, and who are in possession of a vaccination certificate recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Health for this purpose are allowed to enter Spain at Spanish airports. This concerns not only essential travel but also touristic travel. There will be controls.

The amendment is long. The permission quoted above is not absolute. Flights from some airports in some non-EU countries are not covered as restrictions set in other Spanish decrees are still valid.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Thanks !!

This means in particular and in the given context: As of Monday 7 June 2021, persons who travel to Spain from non-EU countries such as the USA, Canada or Mexico, to name but a few, who are in possession of a vaccination certificate recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Health for this purpose

What this means in practical terms (among other things) is that the particular vaccine must be one that has been authorised for use within the EU, so not for example either the Russian or Chinese ones.

Plus the already mentioned requirement to have been fully vaccinated for 14 days or more (two jabs for most of them).

I have read elsewhere that such certificates are acceptable only if they are in the Spanish, French, or English languages, else are to be translated into Spanish ; but Pilgrims would be wise to verify this prior to departure.

The decree does not alter the fact that travellers to Spain from the UK, by exemption, are not required to provide proof of vaccination nor a negative test to enter the country ; though there are restrictions and requirements in place 'til at least the end of June, including a quarantine, for those travelling in the other direction, from Spain to the UK.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The situation as regards crossing the France-Spain border as foot pilgrims is currently hard to clarify, as several official websites appear not to have been updated in months.

But my impression, from looking at the useful legal texts that Kathar1na has linked to this morning, plus this week and next week's lists of "covid risk" countries (that France is not mentioned in), suggests to me that the EU norm whereby border crossings by land travel from France into Spain are to be unrestricted is once again in force. i.e. no covid documentation required.

This is just speculation as things stand now, and when I cross the border on Thursday I will seek to carry a negative result, but it would still be rather annoying if the lockdown had been widely publicised, yet the reopening kept confidential.

 

[Albertagirl]

This is beginning to look quite hopeful for us Canadians, especially those, like myself, who have rashly purchased air tickets already. I am scheduled for my second Pfizer shot a week from tomorrow. My certificate from my first shot is relatively casual, identifying me by name and date of birth, the date of the vaccination and that it was Pfizer. But it seems to be enough. Apparently, the Canadian government is designing a vaccine certificate for Canadians, planned to help us qualify for foreign travel. I wonder if the recommendation of "essential travel only" will be lifted before I leave in September. I am trying to remind myself of the essential fact that I am unlikely to die of the virus between now and then. Almost anything else may happen.

 

[Marbe2]

This is beginning to look quite hopeful for us Canadians, especially those, like myself, who have rashly purchased air tickets already. I am scheduled for my second Pfizer shot a week from tomorrow. My certificate from my first shot is relatively casual, identifying me by name and date of birth, the date of the vaccination and that it was Pfizer. But it seems to be enough. Apparently, the Canadian government is designing a vaccine certificate for Canadians, planned to help us qualify for foreign travel. I wonder if the recommendation of "essential travel only" will be lifted before I leave in September. I am trying to remind myself of the essential fact that I am unlikely to die of the virus between now and then. Almost anything else may happen.

Not rashly but with hopeful, informed anticipation!

 

[mvanert]

This is beginning to look quite hopeful for us Canadians, especially those, like myself, who have rashly purchased air tickets already. I am scheduled for my second Pfizer shot a week from tomorrow. My certificate from my first shot is relatively casual, identifying me by name and date of birth, the date of the vaccination and that it was Pfizer. But it seems to be enough. Apparently, the Canadian government is designing a vaccine certificate for Canadians, planned to help us qualify for foreign travel. I wonder if the recommendation of "essential travel only" will be lifted before I leave in September. I am trying to remind myself of the essential fact that I am unlikely to die of the virus between now and then. Almost anything else may happen.

I get my 2nd shot at the end of this month, and, like you, plan on a September Camino and have the same hope that the travel restrictions will be loosened by then.

Good luck to us all!

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

My certificate from my first shot is relatively casual, identifying me by name and date of birth, the date of the vaccination and that it was Pfizer. But it seems to be enough.

My US vaccination certificate also lacks an ID number. Official statements published in May explicitly require a passport or ID number on the certificate. Has that changed?

I have asked my consulate if I can supply additional documentation, such as a letter from my doctor, but they won't give me a straight answer.

 

[Kathor1]

My US vaccination certificate also lacks an ID number. Official statements published in May explicitly require a passport or ID number on the certificate. Has that changed?

I have asked my consulate if I can supply additional documentation, such as a letter from my doctor, but they won't give me a straight answer.

See Do I have to travel with the certificate or document proving vaccination against COVID-19 to enter Spain? on the SPTH website: Any such document shall contain at least the following information: Traveller's name and surnames, personal identification number used to obtain SpTH QR. In addition: date of complete vaccination, vaccine administered and country where vaccinated.

You MUST fill in the SpTH form and get the SpTH QR code before the departure. When you fill in the form you must indicate a personal ID number, which will be your passport number if you are a US citizen. The same number must be on your documentation about your vaccination.

That's the theory. How it works in practice is anyone's guess. We are not supposed to speculate but I would think that the CDC card and a letter from a doctor with the appropriate information is what is needed.

 

[Albertagirl]

You MUST fill in the SpTH form and get the SpTH QR code before the departure. When you fill in the form you must indicate a personal ID number, which will be your passport number if you are a US citizen. The same number must be on your documentation about your vaccination.

There are no numbers on the form which the person who vaccinated me filled in, certainly no passport number. And my doctor had absolutely nothing to do with it and does not know about it. I made an appointment and went to a public clinic, which is how it is done in Alberta. I suppose that the vaccine certificate, which the federal government has proposed, will contain my passport number, as well as my vaccine information. I don't know how that information may pass from the provincial government to the federal government, or when the whole process of producing such certificates will even start. If the Spanish government wants people to visit, they must find some way that it can function. I can only hope that it will all be sorted out before my flight to Spain in September.

 

[Kathor1]

I had assumed that one could go to one's GP and he would write a note with the required info and signature and stamp. In any case, this issue is only of importance to people who will fly from the USA, Canada and countries in this category in the next few days. Then there will be reports from travellers, maybe even on this forum, about what people did and how it went.

 

[Albertagirl]

I have been thinking about getting one or two prescriptions renewed by my GP before I leave for Spain. That may be an opportunity to show her my vaccine certificates (first and second) and my passport and ask her to write such a note, if nothing has clarified before then. I don't know if she has a stamp.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

I had assumed that one could go to one's GP and he would write a note with the required info and signature and stamp. In any case, this issue is only of importance to people who will fly from the USA, Canada and countries in this category in the next few days. Then there will be reports from travellers, maybe even on this forum, about what people did and how it went.

Stamp? I missed that in the Spanish announcements I've read. I doubt seriously that my GP has any kind of a stamp. Her practice is all-digital at this point, although I imagine she can manage a signature. If I overlooked a passage about a stamp, I'd appreciate a pointer to it - it might just be the straw that makes me scrub my trip.

 

[VNwalking]

I doubt seriously that my GP has any kind of a stamp.

"Asked why tests will be required even from vaccinated American visitors, Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said the problem was a lack of standardised digital proof.

"They have vaccinated lots of people but they haven't digitised it -- when you get vaccinated you often just get a sheet of paper,"

Not everyone is fully digitized. And thete's no standardized paper proof, especially internationally. The front side of my laminated certificate has my Father's first name (misspelled), my Burmese name and phone #, but neither my passport name nor number. It's useless as proof. I have a stamp in the yellow WHO booklet, too, but that doesn't seem much better.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Stamp? I missed that in the Spanish announcements I've read.

Spaniards love their sellos, so it's always a good rule of thumb to make sure you have one, dated and signed, on any paper document that they may require.

 

[Kathor1]

Stamp? I missed that in the Spanish announcements I've read. I doubt seriously that my GP has any kind of a stamp. Her practice is all-digital at this point, although I imagine she can manage a signature. If I overlooked a passage about a stamp, I'd appreciate a pointer to it - it might just be the straw that makes me scrub my trip.

Make that: signature on official looking paper. It was a suggestion. I know that there was a requirement for the inclusion of a personal ID until June 7. I'm no longer sure that it will be required after June 7. I suggest that we wait until the SpTH website has been duly updated.

 

[Kathor1]

I have a stamp in the yellow WHO booklet, too, but that doesn't seem much better.

The WHO is working on developing a digital Smart Vaccination Certificate.

 

[Kathor1]

I had another look at the Resolución de 4 junio de 2021 of the DG of Salud Pública. I should have followed my own advice and waited until the SpTH websites have been duly updated. I fear that, too often, we are mixing old and new rules in our forum discussions. I've deleted some of my recent comments. They may not be accurate as of June 7.

As of July 1, we in the EU will have standard vaccination certificates with a standard set of minimum data. Spain requires the same minimum set of data from non-standard vaccination proof. They didn't write their new rules for their American tourism market alone. It is for summer tourists from everywhere, EU and non-EU alike.

 

[VNwalking]

The WHO is working on developing a digital Smart Vaccination Certificate.

Great!

 

[Kathor1]

I've deleted again parts of my recent comments as I can no longer be certain about what is applicable and what isn't applicable, based on both the ministerial decree of 4 June 2021 and what they've put on their SpTH website. Just this:

All this looks like it was knitted with a hot needle, as they say in German (done in a hurry).

 

[Kathor1]

If I didn't think that it is a complete and utter waste of time, I'd write to them. So, current state of affairs - all the quotes are taken from official Spanish government sources. One out of three requires your personal ID number on your vaccination document, the other two don't. My EU Covid certificate will not have my personal ID number on it and I don't lose sleep over it. I know what I'd do if I were in other people's shoes: I'd go by the text in the ministerial decree - no personal ID number on vaccination document. Vaya con dios, is all I can say. Bear with me:

Ministerial decree of 4 June 2021, requirements for vaccination document (my translation from Spanish):

1. your name;
2. date of vaccination with date of the last jab;
3. type of vaccine;
4. number of doses administered/complete schedule;
5. issuing country;
6. agency/agent who issued the certificate.

Info that appears when you start reading SpTh webpage, requirements for vaccination document, direct quote, make of it what you will, the Spanish text is marginally better:

1. name and surname of the traveller;
2. date of complete vaccination;
3. vaccine administered;
4. country of vaccination;
5. of vaccination completed, vaccine administered and country of vaccination.

Info that also appears on the FAQ page on the SpTH webpage, requirements for vaccination document, direct quote:

1. Traveller's name and surnames,
2. personal identification number used to obtain SpTH QR;
3. date of complete vaccination;
4. vaccine administered;
5. country where vaccinated.

 

[Marbe2]

If I didn't think that it is a complete and utter waste of time, I'd write to them. So, current state of affairs - all the quotes are taken from official Spanish government sources. One out of three requires your personal ID number on your vaccination document, the other two don't. My EU Covid certificate will not have my personal ID number on it and I don't lose sleep over it. I know what I'd do if I were in other people's shoes: I'd go by the text in the ministerial decree - no personal ID number on vaccination document. Vaya con dios, is all I can say. Bear with me:

Ministerial decree of 4 June 2021, requirements for vaccination document (my translation from Spanish):

1. your name;
2. date of vaccination with date of the last jab;
3. type of vaccine;
4. number of doses administered/complete schedule;
5. issuing country;
6. agency/agent who issued the certificate.

Info that appears when you start reading SpTh webpage, requirements for vaccination document, direct quote, make of it what you will, the Spanish text is marginally better:

1. name and surname of the traveller;
2. date of complete vaccination;
3. vaccine administered;
4. country of vaccination;
5. of vaccination completed, vaccine administered and country of vaccination.

Info that also appears on the FAQ page on the SpTH webpage, requirements for vaccination document, direct quote:

1. Traveller's name and surnames,
2. personal identification number used to obtain SpTH QR;
3. date of complete vaccination;
4. vaccine administered;
5. country where vaccinated.

I am sure it will be clarified if the ID number is our passport number.

 

[Kathor1]

I am sure it will be clarified if the ID number is our passport number.

The question is whether, as of June 7, Americans will even need to have their passport number shown on the document that proves their vaccination. Whether it is not enough when the documentation that they carry with them to Spain shows their full name and the specific details about the vaccination itself. Perhaps I didn't make this clear in my previous comment.