BANNED: Trips from England to 2nd homes abroad - Page 6

thanks Kim

Things will change from the 23rd.

Latest news from The Olive Press Online Newspaper 16/11/2020. 

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article indicated that PCR tests would be needed to pass into Spain by land, the health checks have only been announced at airports and sea ports

A FINE of up to €6,000 will await any travellers arriving into Spain without a negative PCR test, the Government has warned. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya made the warning today as she explained that airlines are ‘recommended’ to check for the tests with each passenger, but that they would not be forced to do so. 

But when passengers arrive in Spain, be it by sea or air, they will have to show their documentation and the PCR test. 

If they fail to show the latter, they will have to be tested and will be handed a fine. 

In an interview on Antena 3, Laya said ‘they are serious fines’, adding that they are designed as a deterrent and not as a cash ‘collection.’ 

“We want people to be committed and responsible with the effort to guarantee travel safety,” she said. 

The Government announced earlier this week that people arriving into Spain from abroad, by air or sea, will have to show a negative PCR test from November 23 onwards. 

It will apply to countries deemed ‘at risk’ and the test must be taken up to 72 hours before the trip.

Laya said it will apply to around 65 countries, including most European nations. 

The measure comes despite only 0.08% of cases coming from international arrivals. 

“Looking at the figures this is not a problem but we have to make sure it is not one in the future,” she said. “The measure hopes to create trust and gradually open up safe zones for travel.” 

Nope, I just visited my holiday home as normal and returned without the need to self isolate, I offered a letter to the Boarder Force Officer who wasn't interested.

Out of interest, why did you not need to self isolate?

Aitch.

".....I.....returned without the need to isolate....." You returned to where?  Spain or UK?  

You offered WHAT letter to a border force officer in WHICH country?

I travelled from the UK to Spain, mainly because my number plates had been stolen from my car at the "secure car park" at Alicante airport! 

After my weeks break (3 weeks ago) I returned to the UK, as I work in IT and Comms I can claim exemption from self isolating, I had a employers letter to confirm my work status, the Border Force Officer checked my locator form which said I don't intend to isolate and wasn't even bothered about the letter, this is the second time and I've never had a phone call to check if I was in fact isolating.

OK my understanding is that you are only excempt if you are travelling for work and not for holidays or back from holidays.

And given Kevin's number plates were stolen in Alicante, I think he would have had a legal exemption too - although, if challenged, he would have needed to prove it.

We had friends come up from Murcia yesterday.  Under current regional regulations, they are not allowed to cross the border into C.Valenciana, but they've sold their property and needed to leave the keys with us to pass to their lawyer in Elche for completion in 3 weeks' time.  They were stopped at the regional border and given a grilling by the police, but had proof on their phone by way of email exchanges with their lawyers, proving the property sale, along with their Chunnel confirmation for the train back to the UK tomorrow, but it certainly unnerved my friends 😳

Best wishes,

Kim

Fair to say it would stop most of us pushing the boundaries for a simple visit - and I guess that might be the right balance.

Roll on the vaccine I so miss my regular visits to my place and Spanish culture - but not at any cost to the peole's health.

David

I agree, David.  We haven't been back to our place in the UK this year and I'm having to pay a builder to do odd jobs that we could do ourselves for a fraction of the cost.  I do feel sorrow for holiday home owners who are not able to get out to their property in Spain, but it is what it is - the regulations have been introduced for a reason.

I haven't seen my Dad and his wife this year either - he's 92 and in good health, but even doing a 14 day quarantine first, I don't want him to run any unnecessary risks.  We all have to do our bit.

Stay safe,

Kim