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Fri, 11/12/2020 - 13:23

Antigen tests will be valid for international travellers to enter Canary Islands

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Tourists at the reception of a hotel in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands Government has passed a series of regulations, now in force, to govern the entry of international travellers through the region’s airports and ports. One of the most significant developments is the acceptance of antigen tests, faster and less expensive than PCR tests, although both types are now permitted. Tourists with a booking for regulated accommodation can indicate that they have had the appropriate test on the sworn statement they are required to sign for entry into the Islands, and provide a certificate of negative test result at their accommodation.

Passengers arriving from other countries will be required to sign a sworn statement, undergo a check to rule out symptoms, and provide the negative result of a diagnostic test taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in the Islands, or isolate at their destination. Children under the age of six are not required to have a test. As indicated, tourists can provide their test results at regulated tourist accommodation, as long as they specify this in their sworn statement.


Passengers will be required to sign a sworn statement, undergo a check to rule out symptoms, and provide a negative test result.


These measures will remain in force until 10 January, or when the state of emergency ends, and may also be extended for a longer period.

Valid tests

As well as PCR (COVID-19 RT-PCR) tests, rapid antigen detection SARS-CoV-2 tests with more than 97% specificity and 80% sensitivity will also be valid, in accordance with the corresponding authorisation of a country in the European Union or the European Economic Area.

Both types of test must include the following traveller information:

  • Name, surname and identity document number
  • Authorised health centre where the test was done and its contact details
  • Type, brand and health authorisation of the test
  • Date and time of the test
  • The test result
  • Antigen tests must indicate the officially authorised levels of specificity and sensitivity

Isolation

Passengers who have not had a test before travelling may be tested in the Islands within 72 hours of arriving, but must remain in isolation at their place of residence or tourist accommodation until they have their results. Travellers who do not have a test at origin or destination must isolate for 14 days.


The Canary Islands website will constantly update information for tourists.


All information for tourists will be updated on the Canary Islands website, where new content will be added to the FAQs to give travellers first-hand, accurate information about how the new regulations affect them. The information is available in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Russian and German.