Coronavirus: Easter travel restrictions in Spain!

Holy Week in Spain, known as “Semana Santa”, is one of Spain’s most popular festivals and this year takes place between 28th March and 4th April 2021. Will traveling be permitted inside Spain this Easter? Would Spain’s traditional Easter celebrations be cancelled in 2021? And what about COVID-19 travel limitations on traveling to Spain from abroad? We have all the information.  buy apartment qatar

Travelling throughout Spain during Semana Santa

Travelling to Spain from abroad

Traditional Semana Santa processions cancelled for 2021 in Spain

Travelling throughout Spain during Semana Santa

Almost all of Spain's 17 autonomous communities will close their borders this Easter, with the exception of the Canary and Balearic Islands. The region of Madrid also originally indicated that it would not block its land borders with other Spanish regions, though for now, this decision has been altered and Madrid will likewise be closed between 26th March and 9th April 2021. The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are excluded due to their status as archipelagos. These perimetral confinements during Semana Santa in Spain will be met with fines if violated, unless travelers give a justified excuse such as travelling to work or to study, or for medical assistance, for example.

Currently in Spain, a night-time curfew applies with varying restrictions depending on the region of the country and this is a measure that will also continue over the Easter vacations with some tweaks. Both regions will apply the same curfew schedule from 11pm to 6am the next morning. Other measures to be taken throughout the country include a limit on social gatherings to 4 individuals, regardless of whether they take place indoors or outdoors, and convening inside houses or in other interior areas is not advised or outlawed in some locations.

Travelling to Spain from abroad

Spain’s borders are open to European Union and Schengen-area countries and anyone entering Spain must be able to present a negative COVID PCR test. Checks will be carried out on arrival in Spain, with minimums fines of 3000 euros for those who do not comply. Take notice that 14 days of quarantine are not expected for EU travellers arriving in Spain, although anyone visiting Spain is also obliged to observe the same confinement laws, curfew, and restrictions on social gatherings as anyone else.

If you are travelling to Spain from the UK this Easter, then take note that things aren't running as usual. From 30th March 2021, Spain will lift its flight suspension from the UK as stated in the most recent update from British Embassy in Spain, “From 6pm CET on 30 March 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), passenger travel between the UK and Spain will resume, but entry restrictions and testing requirements will remain in force, so if you are considering travelling to Spain from the UK, please make sure you satisfy all the necessary conditions”. Therefore, only Spanish nationals and residents in Spain will be allowed to return to the country, and those traveling will need to explain their permitted reason for travel with some form of written proof or paper.

Traditional Semana Santa processions cancelled for 2021 in Spain

Spain’s traditional Holy Week processions and parades are among some of the most important events in Spanish culture. However, 2021 will once again be different due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the Spanish government has declared that all “large gatherings” will not take place. While not all Spanish regions have given specific guidelines for Semana Santa processions, the majority are expected to be cancelled with only local, smaller processions taking place.

In Seville, for example, where some of Spain’s most famous processions traditionally take place, the local authorities have confirmed that there would be no processions, exactly like in 2020. This is according to the laws for the whole country of Andalusia. On the other hand, unlike in 2020 when it was forced to closed, this year local churches will be able to open their doors and accept visits, following at all times the health regulations of the authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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