James Warren
SPAIN has announced this morning that it will extend restrictions on all non essential travel from outside the European Union until September 30.
Published in the Official State Gazzette (BOE), the temporary restrictions are a direct result of rising COVID-19 cases throughout the country.
The restrictions will affect most countries outside the EU and Schengen Area already experiencing the ‘temporary restriction order’ issued back in July.
Countries NOT affected by the order are Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China.
EU long-term visa holders, health workers, diplomats, elderly, students, transport workers and care workers will still be permitted to travel but will require valid jurisdiction.
The border between Morocco and Spain, Melilla and Ceuta will also remain closed until the restrictions are lifted.
The news of the national travel restrictions come as the country’s capital, Madrid, has announced that it will consider increasing mobility restrictions this weekend.
Deputy Minister of Public Health and the COVID-19 Plan Antonio Zapatero told Spanish press that he is considering locking down certain areas of the city that are experiencing high rates of infection.
“The current measures we are taking are not working and are not worth anything,” said Zapatero.
“Closing Madrid is not an option, but the main problem in Madrid now is the coronavirus and we will not skimp on measures when it comes to people’s health.”
