Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Madrid, U.S. Consulate General Barcelona (26 March 2020)
Location: Spain – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Event: The current countrywide State of Alarm in Spain has been extended until April 11, 2020. The State of Alarm significantly restricts the movement of individuals and transportation. Many other countries in the European Schengen zone have implemented similar measures to help prevent further spread of COVID19. These measures have significantly reduced travel options for U.S. citizens who wish to return home.
We continue to receive information about additional travel restrictions. The Turkish government has suspended all passenger flights to/from Spain. U.S. citizens who have been in Spain in the last 14 days will not be allowed to transit Istanbul for a connecting flight to the United States. For more information, see: https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless you are prepared to remain in Spain for an indefinite period. We expect direct commercial flights from Spain to the United States to end this week. We expect the majority of hotels, hostels, and other similar accommodation to close this week. If you are staying at a rented apartment, please discuss your options for extending your stay with the owner. For a list of accommodation expected to remain open, sorted by region, see https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2020-4027
U.S. citizens who are residents of Spain, and/or have access to long-term accommodation and the financial means to remain in Spain for an extended period, should consider deferring travel at this time. Spanish authorities will not count the days spent in Spain during the State of Alarm against the 90-day limit for those who wish to remain. For more information see: http://prensa.mitramiss.gob.es/WebPrensa/noticias/inmigracionemigracion/detalle/3751
Actions to Take:
- Follow instructions of Spanish authorities. Not doing so could result in arrest and potential fines.
- Visit the Spanish Ministry of Health website for updated information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Spain.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Call Spanish emergency numbers 112 and 061 right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms). For a list of local COVID-19 emergency numbers, please visit this website.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Madrid, Spain
+34-915-872-200
AskACS@state.gov
https://es.usembassy.gov - U.S. Consulate General Barcelona, Spain
+34-932-802-227
BarcelonaACS@state.gov
https://es.usembassy.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Spain Country Information
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.