SPAIN has scrapped their strict Covid rule banning unvaccinated teenagers in a last-minute boost to British families.
From February 14, unvaccinated kids aged between 12 and 17 will no longer need to have both jabs to enter the country.
Instead, kids under 18 who haven’t had both of their jabs will just have to have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival.
The new rules are a huge boost for British families with half term holiday plans.
The order, signed by the Minister of Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska, reads: “Persons aged 12 or over and under 18 who present a molecular nucleic acid amplification test-NAAT (RT -PCR or similar) of SARS-CoV-2 with a negative result carried out 72 hours before arrival, after verification by the health authorities, or under 12 years of age […] will take effect from 00:00 on February 14, 2022.”
Thousands of Brits have already cancelled their holidays to Spain in the last two months because of the rule.
Ben Fislock said he had to cancel his trip to Gran Canaria with his family, as one of his kids has “only just turned 12” so hadn’t had their jab.
It isn’t the only rule change in Spain, as the country scrapped its outdoor face mask requirement yesterday.
Masks were previously enforced in a range of outdoor spaces, including at the beaches, on the promenade and at swimming pools – this is no longer in place, although some public transport and mass events still require them.
All adults must still be fully jabbed to enter Spain, and there is a time limit on when they received their second dose.
Spain is one of seven European hotspots that has put an expiration date on vaccine certificates, which could mean some Brits won’t be able to visit during half term if they haven’t had their booster jab.
Spain will only permit Brits to enter if they can prove they have been fully vaccinated against Covid within the last nine months.
This will be a problem for any Brits who received their second vaccine before mid-May 2021 and have not yet had their booster jab.
In other travel news, holidaymakers no longer need to take any Covid tests when they return to the UK.
Another UK travel restriction was scrapped this morning, meaning fully vaccinated Brits don’t need to take a lateral flow test when they return from a holiday.
The change will save families from forking out for lateral flow tests when they get back from a holiday.
Arrivals to the UK only need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form when they enter, as long as they are fully vaccinated, which will also be simplified.
Unvaccinated Brits still need to show proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours before travelling, and take a PCR test when they return, as well as complete a Passenger Locator Form.
There’s more good news for Brits hoping to travel, as a growing number of holiday hotspots are scrapping test requirements – meaning vaccinated Brits can take a trip without needing a single Covid test.
Greece and Portugal are the latest countries to announce Brits no longer need a negative Covid test to enter if they are fully vaccinated.
We’ve rounded up the 33 countries Brits can enter without needing a single Covid test.
