Is Spain accepting Recovery Certificates? Mixed info online

[SlightlyJaded]

As the title says, i am finding mixed information about whether Spain is accepting recovery certificates for entry.

DD (16) has a flight booked to stay with family who live in the balearics on the 16th August. She showed symptoms on Wed 21 July and got a pos PCR on the following Monday 26th (first time we could get a PCR). She was actually fine by the time she tested and is getting daily neg LF tests. However, I am aware that you can get a positive PCR for several weeks following infection.

We are confused by the conflicting information online. Some saying you can use a Recovery Certificate as proof you are no longer infectious (despite testing positive) and others saying Spain are not accepting them.

All being well, her PCR will be negative. But we need to understand the backup plan and we don't!! BA just direct us to website that conflict with each other.

Does anyone have a categorical answer? We'd really appreciate clarity.

@ImSoMagical

yes the issue is for people who aren't double jabbed. DD is 16 so has not had the opportunity be double jabbed. There is a good chance her historic case of covid will trigger a positive PCR but Spain are not accepting UK Covid Recovery Certificates.

Additionally, she may well also test positive on her day two PCR upon return - again based on her historical case. This is why you are advised not to take a PCR for 90 days after a positive result. Except that they are now going against that completely by mandating PCR for travel. It's a mess.

Also, as an aside...

Does anyone know whether the PCR upon return HAS to be on day two? Can it be on day one? DD doesn't have to quarantine as she is under 18 and was supposed to be going somewhere on day 2 that means she wouldn't be able to get her PCR. She could do it the day before though....??

@SlightlyJaded I posted an answer to that same question re day 2 on another thread. It's any time from landing until day 2. Here's the government guidance www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england#rules-if-you-are-not-fully-vaccinated

Spain aren’t accepting uk recovery certificate. I see them everyday as I work for an airline. You need a negative pcr or the jabs. With your dd being so recently positive I imagine it’ll be positive again sorry. I’d advise you to re book for later on . Those recovery certificates are nothing but a pain in the ass to us airline staff I’ve refused 4 this week.

@IsabellesMissingSock Ah ok, so day 1 is ok, that's something...

Just to update.... myself and my daughters PCR taken yesterday has come back positive 😫 (had Covid 19th July) test centre suggested talking to airline as we are in recovery phase. I'm currently on hold to Jet2 52 minutes and counting!

@flippyfloppy

Oh no!!! that's rubbish. Let us know how you get on.

[quote SlightlyJaded]@IsabellesMissingSock Ah ok, so day 1 is ok, that's something...[/quote]
Yes and even day 0 (ie arrival date) - airports have testing facilities for this purpose :)

Sorry to hear that @flippyfloppy - did you get anywhere with Jet2?

Oh @flippyfloppy .. gutted for you. Jet2 have actually just emailed me giving me the option to rebook - I've not even broached cancelling with them yet!

Does anyone know what you do? I've filled in the claim form and am going to send it next week, does the travel insurance company cancel everything or do I?

@CharlotteRose90

Spain aren’t accepting uk recovery certificate. I see them everyday as I work for an airline. You need a negative pcr or the jabs. With your dd being so recently positive I imagine it’ll be positive again sorry. I’d advise you to re book for later on . Those recovery certificates are nothing but a pain in the ass to us airline staff I’ve refused 4 this week.

Good to hear it from the horses mouth .. Thankyou

@SlightlyJaded

I wouldn't bother with the day 2 test, I was on the trip advisor forum yesterday and people aren't doing them to 'prove a point' and show it's just a money making scam, they hasn't been chased up!

You know that morally you aren't doing anything wrong and that you aren't damaging public health by letting her skip (or fake) it .. It's just bloody bureaucracy!

@Summer20twentyone

Oh *@flippyfloppy* .. gutted for you. Jet2 have actually just emailed me giving me the option to rebook - I've not even broached cancelling with them yet!

Does anyone know what you do? I've filled in the claim form and am going to send it next week, does the travel insurance company cancel everything or do I?

You need to cancel it yourself lovely. If you ring go through the option 1 to make a new booking. Even though you’re not it will save the waiting time currently. If it’s down to covid you should get a full refund minus the admin fee but if you don’t ask for the insurance certificate and pass on to your insurance.

[quote Summer20twentyone]@SlightlyJaded

I wouldn't bother with the day 2 test, I was on the trip advisor forum yesterday and people aren't doing them to 'prove a point' and show it's just a money making scam, they hasn't been chased up!

You know that morally you aren't doing anything wrong and that you aren't damaging public health by letting her skip (or fake) it .. It's just bloody bureaucracy! [/quote]
Thought it was mandatory and if not done you could get a fine

@EasterIssland

It is mandatory, people were saying last night on Trip advisor that they had bought the test (as they had to as they needed the number for the passenger locator form) .. but then not done it, just to see if anyone checked up on it - which they hasn't.

I'm certainly not condone it in their case, but in the OPs case I would risk it.

Thank you for the advice it was really easy to cancel online and I've had an email to say I'll get a full refund.
Also if anyone is interested 119 and track abs trace said we don't need to isolate due to being in the recovery period.119 were really helpful and said positive PCR in recovery period doesn't mean can't fly but would need to talk to airline. However I was on hold two hours yesterday so Jet2 yesterday abs in end decided just decided to call it off it was spoiling the time I had !

@flippyfloppy

Thank you for the advice it was really easy to cancel online and I've had an email to say I'll get a full refund. Also if anyone is interested 119 and track abs trace said we don't need to isolate due to being in the recovery period.119 were really helpful and said positive PCR in recovery period doesn't mean can't fly but would need to talk to airline. However I was on hold two hours yesterday so Jet2 yesterday abs in end decided just decided to call it off it was spoiling the time I had !

Glad you are sorted - even if it's disappointing.

That call with 119 is the opposite of the call I had with 119. I actually think it's not helpful to tell people that in recovery you can still fly when countries are not accepting recovery certificates. The poster up thread who work la for an airline e was very clear on this.

I asked about (detailing my dilemma) recovery certificates on the 'Ibiza Covid' Facebook page and got a shitty message back from admins saying that I was asking duplicate questions and that 'recovery certificates were accepted' .. good job I didn't take their answer as gospel!!

@SlightlyJaded, conflicting advice is a pain but I think the 119 contact was just trying to give some hope! I think some airlines/countries do accept them, I was just grateful re:isolation. We've booked Edinburgh for two days, the fringe is on! Then the lakes for three days. I'll pack the umbrellas.
Keeping everything crossed for you ! X

@SlightlyJaded what have you decided? We've cancelled now

@Summer20twentyone

Took them from a PCR test yesterday. Waiting on results today. We have resigned ourselves to the Universe doing what ever it does...

I am now attempting to proceed as though they were negative but without a neg PCR I can't do anything! Can't fill in the Spanish form and refuse to pay for a 2 day test until we know the results of this one.

It's a waiting game now....

@SlightlyJaded ... good for you for holding your nerve, I do wonder if we capitulated too soon.

I've got everything crossed for you!

Negative 🙌

DD just got the text.

So for anyone still following this, a mild but not asymptotic case of Covid tested clear within around three weeks.

Just got to cover her in a million different QR codes now and book her test to return and 2 day back in the UK

So my next question is about her test on Spain. Gov are recommending a PCR rather than a LF to return but I don't think it's mandatory. LF obviously much cheaper and quicker to sort. Does anyone l ow if BA/UK still happy with them to come home?

That's brilliant 🤩... not to sure on the return LFT/PCR , last I heard a PCR was advised but not mandatory

Just following this thread with interest.

Me and two kids have had Covid last month and we fly to Majorca next week so I was worried our return tests could show positives but couldn't find and proper info on what that actually means.

I've booked our tests which include a lateral flow that we pack in our suitcases and do over there (apparently PCR is not mandatory no) and a 2 day PCR for when we get back. Just hoping all negative and don't pick up past infections

@iloveredpandas

Your return tests will almost certainly be clear if your departure PCR is negative (which it needs to be for you to travel).

As you've recently recovered you are very unlikely to pick up a new infection whilst there so as long as you've got rid of the infection now, you should be ok!

@SlightlyJaded I don't believe we need pre departure PCR tests for Spain as both adults are double jabbed and the kids are under 12?

So there is a small worry they may still show a positive when we do the 2 day test on return but I imagine (hope) they will be negative.