The list of third countries whose residents were exempt from travel restrictions to the European Union has been modified on several occasions to adapt the list of third-world countries to epidemiological circumstances.
Last Friday, the Official State Gazette (BOE) prolonged the extension until next September 15th, when the Strait Crossing Operation (OPE) ends, of the temporary restriction of non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union and associated Schengen countries for reasons of public order and public health due to the health crisis caused by the COVID-19.
The list of third-world countries whose residents were exempt from travel restrictions to the European Union has been modified on successive occasions to adapt the list of third countries to epidemiological circumstances or to make certain adjustments to the criteria applied.
At present, the content remains unchanged, pending further revision. However, Order INT/657/2020, of July 17th, has been adapted to the improvement of the epidemiological situation, avoiding becoming an unjustified obstacle to the economy and personal relations. Thus, by Order INT/452/2022, of May 20th, the diagnostic test was incorporated as an element exempting from the restrictions.
The annex with the list of countries exempt from restrictions has lost relevance, but the BOE indicates that it is advisable to maintain this list until Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 of June 30th is amended.
Additionally, the land posts authorized for entry and exit from Spain through the cities of Ceuta and Melilla have been reopened for certain categories of persons.
“The controlled and orderly passage of people through these border posts makes it advisable to maintain the enabled categories, especially during Operation Crossing the Strait 2022,” states the BOE.
For the above reasons, and given that the effects of the Order INT/657/2020, of July 17th, end at 24.00 hours on July 15th, 2022, it is appropriate to extend them, unchanged, until the end of the Operation Crossing the Strait, on September 15th.