Spain to require negative corona test at French land border

In its efforts to curb the corona infection, the Spanish government’s official bulletin said on Saturday that anyone crossing the land border from France into Spain will have to present a negative PCR test taken in the last 72 hours.

The stricter health protocol of crossing border takes into effect on March 30th while Spain ramps up restrictions in the hope it can avoid a surge in cases over Holy Week, which begins this weekend.

France-Spain land border services were informed that anyone crossing the border must have a PCR test (RT-PCR). As an option, the travellers must show a TMA test or another type of diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 based on equivalent molecular techniques with a negative result, carried out in the 72 hours prior to arrival.

There are exemptions, of course. Among them, i) those working in transportation and cross-border workers, ii) those who live in the border zone as long as they remain within a 30-kilometre radius of their home.

Another strict measure has angered Spaniards, who have been subjected to tight internal travel restrictions for months preventing them from leaving their own regions. The ban has caused a particular upset over Holy Week, when people normally used to travel to see family.