Spain Prolongs Border Controls With Portugal Until April 17

The police internal border controls between Spain and Portugal have been extended until April 17 in an effort to contain the further spread of the COVID-19 in both countries.

Based on the measures published by the Spanish Foreign Ministry regarding the Easter holidays, it was pointed out that all persons wishing to cross the border between Spain and Portugal will only be able to pass through authorized border checkpoints and during the working hours determined by the Ministry.

“The epidemiological situation in Spain and Portugal suggests that we should keep the preventive measures restricting mobility between both territories in place. After consultation with Portuguese authorities, it has been decided that we maintain controls at the internal land border between both countries after Easter,” the press release of the Spanish Government reads.

According to the Government’s press release, the list of authorised people to cross the border includes citizens of Spain, their spouses, children, or parents, anticipated that they are travelling with the intention of meeting their family members, AtoZSerwisPlus.Pt reports.

The Spain-Portugal border has been closed since the end of January. Earlier in February, the Spanish Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, explained that the country is considering to re-establish land border checks to keep under control the further spread of the Coronavirus by deciding to extend the measures until February 10.

However, after considering the increased number of the COVID-19 cases, Spain authorities decided to extend the measures until April 6, which now are further extended until April 17.

According to the Ministry, the group of people allowed to cross the border includes:

• Spanish residents who are able to present residency proof
• Students who are studying in Spain
• European Union or Schengen Area nationals who are returning to their home country
• Cross-border workers
• Members of diplomatic or humanitarian missions

The cross-border workers have openly criticized the Spanish Government for causing them difficulties in doing their job due to the imposed border closures. Therefore the Government decided to open another two border checkpoints in Vinhais close to Zamora and Ponte da Barca in Galicia back in March.

Additionally, people who prove that they need to cross the border due to an unexpected circumstance are allowed to cross the border as long as they possess the necessary documentation to prove their purpose of entry.

Last week, the Spanish authorities extended the restrictions on non-essential travel from countries outside of the EU and Schengen Zone until April 30 in a bid to control the further spread of the virus. On the other hand, the authorities announced that the restrictions had been lifted for all passengers flying from the United Kingdom after considering the COVID-19 situation in the territory of the latter.