OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Transiting to Spain through UK

[Corned Beef]

This may be of interest to those planning a trip this year that transits (e.g. through the UK)

Brother in Law (Spanish/EU) who lives in Switzerland (EEA) and travelling home to Galicia (Vigo) got a really cheap deal on flights (CH-UK-ES) rather than direct. He was refused boarding as the rules for transiting (2 hours airside) required a PCR test to transit. He rebooked to transit (CH-ES-ES) a day later as no PCR test required for entry back into Spain.

So when booking take care to check for the pitfalls of transit as it could apply to others as well as the UK - and rules change quickly.


See rules

Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

 

[naplesdon]

I read this morning (28/6) that Portugal is now requiring UK visitors quarantine for 14 days. I wonder how that affects people who are transiting?

 

[Corned Beef]

The reason for raising the issue is that London / Paris / Amsterdam are transit hubs. It would seem sensible to fly direct to Spain without risking changing paperwork/checks through transit hubs that might suddenly appear - like the Portugal issue.

As I understand the Portuguese decision, it creates a two tier system where those with both vaccinations of an EU approved(?) vaccine can enter without quarantine.