US adds Spain to 'do not travel' list but what does that mean for Americans?
The US State Department announced this week that it has added 116 countries to its "Level Four: Do Not Travel" advisory list, including Spain.
Spain will join other countries on the list including France, Germany, Italy and the UK, where the US State Department says there is “a very high level of Covid-19”.
The State Department now lists 150 countries at Level Four, meaning that around 80 percent of countries now receive the government's highest advisory rating.
The State Department said on April 19th that the addition of countries did not suggest a reassessment of current health situations in these destinations, but instead "reflects an adjustment in the State Department's Travel Advisory system to rely more on (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's) existing epidemiological assessments".
Does it change anything for Americans wanting to travel to Spain?
Technically, not a lot. The State Department's 'don't travel list' is advisory only and not mandatory, meaning they haven't imposed an outright ban to stop US nationals from travelling to destinations such as Spain.
However, most Americans are still not allowed to visit most of Europe, due to Covid-19 restrictions in place.
Spain has extended its restrictions on non-essential journeys from countries outside the EU and Schengen Area - which included the United States - until at least April 30th 2021.
American Airlines has resumed its flights from the United States to Spain, specifically the route between Miami (Florida) and Barcelona and Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) and Madrid, suggesting that the situation might soon change. These recent developments have however cast a shadow of doubt over the hope that travel may start back up again.
Earlier this month, there were reports that the Biden administration may lift the travel ban for citizens wanting to travel to the US from the 27 EU Member States in mid-May, but only time will tell if this is still going to happen.
If this does go ahead in mid-May however, it could increase the chances of a reciprocal agreement, allowing US citizens to travel to Spain and the rest of the EU.
READ ALSO: UPDATE: When will Americans be allowed to travel to Spain again?
Comments
See Also
Spain will join other countries on the list including France, Germany, Italy and the UK, where the US State Department says there is “a very high level of Covid-19”.
The State Department now lists 150 countries at Level Four, meaning that around 80 percent of countries now receive the government's highest advisory rating.
The State Department said on April 19th that the addition of countries did not suggest a reassessment of current health situations in these destinations, but instead "reflects an adjustment in the State Department's Travel Advisory system to rely more on (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's) existing epidemiological assessments".
Does it change anything for Americans wanting to travel to Spain?
Technically, not a lot. The State Department's 'don't travel list' is advisory only and not mandatory, meaning they haven't imposed an outright ban to stop US nationals from travelling to destinations such as Spain.
However, most Americans are still not allowed to visit most of Europe, due to Covid-19 restrictions in place.
Spain has extended its restrictions on non-essential journeys from countries outside the EU and Schengen Area - which included the United States - until at least April 30th 2021.
American Airlines has resumed its flights from the United States to Spain, specifically the route between Miami (Florida) and Barcelona and Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) and Madrid, suggesting that the situation might soon change. These recent developments have however cast a shadow of doubt over the hope that travel may start back up again.
Earlier this month, there were reports that the Biden administration may lift the travel ban for citizens wanting to travel to the US from the 27 EU Member States in mid-May, but only time will tell if this is still going to happen.
If this does go ahead in mid-May however, it could increase the chances of a reciprocal agreement, allowing US citizens to travel to Spain and the rest of the EU.
READ ALSO: UPDATE: When will Americans be allowed to travel to Spain again?
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.