The increasingly rapid spread of COVID-19 in China has prompted Gibraltar’s public health authorities to reintroduce obligatory tests for travellers from the region. The new requirements came into effect on 2 January.
According to the Gibraltar Health Authority and Public Health Gibraltar, a negative COVID-19 test result is now required for all arrivals to Gibraltar from China and the special administrative regions of Macau and Hong Kong.
Any person (aged eight years or over) entering Gibraltar who has been to any of these areas in the 14-day period preceding their date of arrival will, at the point of entry at Gibraltar Airport, be subject to the following entry conditions:
- Be required to buy a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test and take this test within 48 hours prior to their arrival in Gibraltar.
- Be prepared to present their valid vaccination certificate to airline staff before boarding.
- Have to report the fact that they have been to China, Hong Kong or Macau to an officer of the Borders and Coastguard Agency and be prepared to present their negative result/valid vaccination certificate on arrival in Gibraltar.
If a passenger develops symptoms or feels unwell they should call 111 immediately or, if calling from an international number, dial (+350) 20072266 and ask to be transferred to 111.
People arriving by sea or land are subject to similar entry requirements, although they also have the option of pre-booking a COVID-19 PCR test to be taken within 24 hours of arrival in Gibraltar.
Commenting on the new requirements, Gibraltar’s director of public health, Dr Helen Carter, said the testing of travellers from China was a precautionary measure only, as the risk level in Gibraltar remained “very low”.
Updated entry and coronavirus information for people arriving in Gibraltar is available on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s travel advice website and the GHA website.
Other countries including the UK and neighbouring Spain have also introduced testing requirements for people travelling from mainland China, while the European Union has recommended that member states introduce obligatory COVID-19 testing for all passengers departing from China.