Last week Spain re-opened its borders to tourists from the EU/Schengen zone, as well as a select number of non-European countries, including the United Kingdom. Without quarantine or COVID-testing requirements, Spain is one of the most easily-accessible places for yachts and for private flights, with up to 50 arrivals at Palma’s private LEPA terminal daily!
What’s more, Mother Nature has enjoyed the rest that lockdown has provided, with our beaches and calas in pristine condition, and Balearic waters looking even more crystalline than usual. What’s more, summer is here and no rain is expected for the whole of July!
Restaurants and bars and beach clubs are open, with masks required to be worn only in confined spaces where distancing is impossible. Smaller clubs are open, offering table service. Just leave your dancing shoes on board, as dance floors are closed.
Reports of long delays for arrivals into Greece, for example, are no issue here in Mallorca, with all ports and marinas operating normally. Guests and crew are free to disembark and enjoy the island as normal.
How safe are the Balearics?
The first tourists to arrive in Mallorca this summer, from Germany, in a pilot programme last month, scored hygiene measures here at 8.7 and reported high satisfaction overall, despite the many closures that were in place at the time. Today, most establishments and facilities are open, health measures are taken seriously, and no coronavirus regrowth has been detected in Mallorca.
One of the most important considerations for where to cruise is always the provision of healthcare facilities in destinations. This has never been more crucial than in recent times, of course, particularly if owners and guests are in the COVID-vulnerable category. Mallorca excels in this regard, with a number of state-of-the-art medical facilities just a stone’s throw away. Spain’s health sector is world-renowned, so for any specialist or urgent care, ours is one of the top destinations in the Mediterranean.
Mallorca has some of the best clinics and private hospitals in the whole of Spain and is unrivalled among most island yachting destinations. Clinical expertise and service is of the highest standard, doctors and medical staff speak English, while even the public hospital is a university teaching institution. Guests are as safe in Mallorca as can be.
Who can enter?
Each country in the EU/Schengen zone has opened its borders to fellow members, but also to a specific list of other countries. As well as the UK, in Spain this includes Australia, Algeria, Canada, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and Rwanda. Please note that since publication yesterday, 1st July, this list is under constant review, so please check in advance before making travel plans.
If you are in any doubt about entry into Spain or have any query about the status in the Balearics, we are here to help!
Passenger Location Card
All travellers to Spain must now complete a Passenger Location Card prior to arrival. The form collects information such as the address where travellers will be staying, recent travel history and information about any medical issues or coronavirus symptoms.
This form must be completed electronically before travelling to Spain, generating a QR code that must be presented at the airport health checks upon arrival.
The form can be completed via www.spth.gob.es