Gran Alacant Forum
Gran Alacant Forum => General Discussions => Topic started by: Derek on February 03, 2022, 15:39.
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/17520688/benidorm-holidays-cancelled-spain-new-rules/
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Another example of the Spanish law makers not understanding the implications of what they are doing . Half term could have been the start of the recovery for Spanish hotels bars and restaurants. Instead the families with kids are off to Turkey.
They have already lost the over winter snow birds who often came to the same hotel for 4 to 5 months every winter but because of Spain implementing the Schengen Agreement they have gone to Bulgaria .
The lawmakers really need to start looking at the implications of their laws and remove the ones that make no sense. They are crippling their own main source of money for no sensible reason . I was in Spain later part of last year it’s deserted
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Well said. It does appear that the lefty government of Spain do not realise that money does not grow on trees. People will say up you and go elsewhere for sure.
Am I glad I got out while the going was good (left it a bit late but not as late as some). Yes I miss the holidays but not the rules and stressed associated with a week in Spain. The trouble is that both our Government and the Spanish one are changing the rules of the game far too frequently which does not allow for anyone planning a holiday that can't afford to take the risk.
Even without the Covid rules the cost of living will deter many Brits from travelling as often as they have done in the past.
The UK owned bars must be really suffering. Even in the good times there seemed more bars than potential customers. I have never liked to witness someone's dream turn sour but this must be happening by the day.
Derek
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The February 1st deadline was well known for the over 12s entry into Spain. Can’t comment on other areas in England but where we are the rollout started last year with second jabs in January so if you didn’t take that opportunity then it’s now too late for Feb half term. Instead of reading the Sun newspaper I would recommend getting real time updates from the FCO . Gov site lots of faff but some relevant information.
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I get daily updates from the UK.GOV website re traveling to Spain,very useful. I'm relatively relaxed re doing all the forms for a visit to GA now, was anxiety ridden the first time I did it. We've got a printer in our house now in GA and a cheap laptop, I take the laptop to a bar hook into their WiFi fill in the UK.GOV locator form download it and then print the form out back at our house ( we don't have broadband) I can do the same with the NHS Vaccination Certificate, I don't rely on showing downloaded forms on phones although we have them as a back up, we even have each others docs on both forms also print out everything in duplicate and keep it separate. Must be mad.
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I get daily updates from the UK.GOV website re traveling to Spain,very useful. I'm relatively relaxed re doing all the forms for a visit to GA now, was anxiety ridden the first time I did it. We've got a printer in our house now in GA and a cheap laptop, I take the laptop to a bar hook into their WiFi fill in the UK.GOV locator form download it and then print the form out back at our house ( we don't have broadband) I can do the same with the NHS Vaccination Certificate, I don't rely on showing downloaded forms on phones although we have them as a back up, we even have each others docs on both forms also print out everything in duplicate and keep it separate. Must be mad.
Not mad at all :), exactly as I would do it, before Covid I always travelled with a duplicate set of all documents, just in case, never put reliance on a phone working, could easily let you down at the wrong moment.
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I totally agree Kevin a belt and braces approach reduces stress and saves any surprises at the airport, some like pushing there luck and that’s fine, leave it with them.
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But whilst other countries are relaxing rules, Spain are sticking to fully vaccinated for any over 12s, the tourist industry particularly in canaries has suffered massive cancellations from British tourists this month & are making their anger known to all politicians.
unless Spain relax rules then Easter will also be a disaster as lots of British don’t want to vaccinate children. We are all fully vaccinated so not a problem for us but despair for all the bars etc & don’t want them to close
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Spain has backed down & removing requirements for children to be vaccinated, just negative tests now
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Great move backing down but unfortunately it’s too late to save half term holiday
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Yes too late for this holiday as some children starting half term today.
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The big problem is that although they are allowed into Spain under the current valencian govt rules they cant go in a restaurant, bar or even hotel restaurant as they won’t have a covid passport .
Think they need to get their ducks in line quickly, you couldn’t make this up
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Have only been asked for our covid passports by a couple of bars, reckon you can find a few places that turn a blind eye.
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The showing of Covid Passports will be withdrawn from March 1st in the Valencian Community 8)
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Hopefully coming out soon, can anyone confirm if masks still required for in shops etc & do we need on entering bars etc?
Also the Spanish locator, is this done just before arrival or can it be done well in advance?
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The form you refer to is actually the SPTH form relating to health control of persons entering Spain, the primary need is to ascertain your health status is vaccines, the next part relates to where you can be located in Spain should there be a relevant health issue. Unless recently revised the form will not let you complete it and generate your QR code more than 48 hours prior to your arrival in Spain. It knows this from your flight details etc. Wilson top tip , get all your information ready before starting the form ,flight details I think seat numbers, passport, vaccine types/ dates the trickiest bit is your address in Spain where the boxes don’t always like your answers so a little fudging may be required.
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Thanks for advice Wilson 😀
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Hopefully coming out soon, can anyone confirm if masks still required for in shops etc & do we need on entering bars etc?
Also the Spanish locator, is this done just before arrival or can it be done well in advance?
Chris & Jackie
Currently masks are still required indoors, unless eating and eating or drinking, but not outdoors (as long as you can keep 1.5m distance), and the showing of Covid Passports will cease on 1st March.
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One point re filling in the SPTH form is when you start the form they email you a login and password so that you can go back in and complete the form 48 hours before your flight, don't lose these login credentials as there seems to be no way of retrieving them
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Kevin, thanks for advice. Haven’t started forms yet! Is the UK locator form similar ie start & get password?
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The UKGOV form isn't too bad. I fill out separate SPTH forms for me and the wife, it's less problem prone with the authorities apparently. Your name on your NHS Vaccination Passport must exactly match the name you put on the SPTH form, under vaccination type I think it's click other and then fill in your vaccine type, when you finish the form it gives you the opportunity to download the QR code I choose that also you get it emailed to you. It's not too bad really.
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C & J sorry I didn't answer your question re UKGOV form, I can't remember much about it,
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
This link tells you what you need to fill the form in, I make a list of all the required details and it makes the process easier.
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Well I made it here today . Here’s my experience, Stansted was very busy at 6am , for the first time since covid no one at the Ryanair gate checked my covid passport or that I had the Spanish locator form. However at Alicante after being on a bus we were dropped at the bottom passport control no gates in use just ushered through . At the kiosk behind the gates I had passport stamped went through to the 2nd check where in the past it’s only been flash your QR code on the terminal and off, but today they wanted my covid passport and actually downloaded all three QR codes
Went to a couple of bars and a restaurant tonight no one asked for my covid passport which I had ready in case masks were req in shop but no one else seemed to have one on
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Re masks, we were out in January, people very good on buses and in shops, 100% mask wearing I reckon but out and about probably only 40% wearing them. Only got asked a couple of times for our covid passports by bars. I hope things are picking up trade wise.
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Spurs - "All three QR codes" ? Is there one for each jab?
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Yes Tony the NHS passport shows all three jabs each one with its own QR code
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My booster jab has vanished off NHS app & have reported to them & hopefully will reappear, my second jab will still be in date ie 270 days on entry so hopefully ok if booster doesn’t reappear!!
Do you have to put details of vaccinations into Spanish locator forms?
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My booster jab has vanished off NHS app & have reported to them & hopefully will reappear, my second jab will still be in date ie 270 days on entry so hopefully ok if booster doesn’t reappear!!
Do you have to put details of vaccinations into Spanish locator forms?
No not details but you have to attach your vaccination passport to the Spanish locator form
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That's interesting having to attach your covid vaccination passport to the SPTH form, is that new ? As I haven't had to do that previously.
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That's interesting having to attach your covid vaccination passport to the SPTH form, is that new ? As I haven't had to do that previously.
I can’t remember if I had to do it in Nov when I was over but you do it now and it verifies it before it sends QRF to you
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How do you attach the vaccinations passport to a locator form?
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There is a box on it that asks for it in jpeg form or a photo
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Thanks Spurs, I guess you can just show at airport if you can’t attach
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Despite a global pandemic,and storm Eunice the Wilsons made it to GA on Friday, it took 16 hours door to door but loads were cancelled so very lucky.
In relation to travel requirements everything appears the same, just to clarify with the SPTH Spanish health/ locator form it does ask for uk vaccine documents to be uploaded, we have failed to upload on every occasion in the last year, maybe it’s an IT non compatibility issue, we tick the box that says can’t upload which then changes to a manual input part where you simply input the information instead.
As previously stated at uk departures you need passport, boarding card, vaccination certificates and the SPTH form. As before in my opinion paper is king as many people at Bristol airport regretted yesterday with every power socket in the airport charging phones which held everything on them, it depends if you consider the stress of trying to find multiple documents on a phone at departures an enjoyable experience. Masks still mandatory on the plane with good compliance by all, at ALC normal routine through passport control then downstairs to baggage where the health screeners are, again if you have paper you wave it in front of the ladies scanner a quick beep and your off.
As stated before check Gov.uk site frequently as rules are supposed to be changing again.
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One point re filling in the SPTH form is when you start the form they email you a login and password so that you can go back in and complete the form 48 hours before your flight, don't lose these login credentials as there seems to be no way of retrieving them
I started the form on the app & it only lets you go so far as not within 48 hours but didn’t get any email or code but I can go back to app at any time & see data complete so far.
Anyone else done on app & do I need code to complete on app?
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I’m a bit confused regards why using the App, as it’s easier using the normal site, we’ve only completed the SPTH form via the .Gov site where you register and the SPTH email you back with your login details, there is no code until the form is complete then the certificate with QR code is available as pdf image to save and print off.
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Just thought the app would be easier, maybe I’ll just scrap & do website
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Only difference I’ve noticed with using the app to the web page is I cant add the QR code to my wallet, which don’t really make any difference as I just end up saving it to files, via the email.
No code needed when using the app as it’s just automatically saved your progress.
Last time I used the app it asked if I wanted to save my covid documents, will be interesting to see if it has remembered them when I fly out next month.
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Belt and Braces.
My advice is to take hard copies of all the forms as a backup. Don't trust the high-tech stuff. A phone could let you down at the last minute.
Keith
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Only difference I’ve noticed with using the app to the web page is I cant add the QR code to my wallet, which don’t really make any difference as I just end up saving it to files, via the email.
No code needed when using the app as it’s just automatically saved your progress.
Last time I used the app it asked if I wanted to save my covid documents, will be interesting to see if it has remembered them when I fly out next month.
I think whether app or normal website the choice is yours, hundreds of thousands have used the normal site since it launched last year with little issue, I like keeping life simple.
Be careful with previously attached documents as the nhs issued vaccination certificates both postal and download now have a short expiry date I think it’s only 30 days from memory, the form clearly states the QR code expires, the ones we downloaded last week expire the 14th March, put simply when the health lady scans it at ALC you won’t get the all important beep.
I keep banging on about taking hard copies but every issue you see at airports relate to IT problems, your going on holiday why not make the process easy for yourself.
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I redo the covid certificate each time we go due to the expire date. Life would be a lot more simple if it didn’t expire.
If I was print it off it would be a total mess the printer loves to smear everything on the most important part of any document.
How’s everything in GA at the moment Wison?
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Be careful with previously attached documents as the nhs issued vaccination certificates both postal and download now have a short expiry date I think it’s only 30 days from memory, the form clearly states the QR code expires, the ones we downloaded last week expire the 14th March, put simply when the health lady scans it at ALC you won’t get the all important beep.
I keep banging on about taking hard copies but every issue you see at airports relate to IT problems, your going on holiday why not make the process easy for yourself.
So if you wanted to go out to your place for, say, 6 weeks, the vaccine cert will have expired before you are coming back. Does this matter, or is it only relevant on the way in to Spain?
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Guardamar as of lunchtime Sunday, very busy about 20 degrees.
With regards to date expiry whilst your away I can find no answer as yet, obviously a postal wouldn’t be any good but you could simply log onto the nhs app and download a new one, print it off if you can or have it as a pdf file. Checkin staff at ALC do check these so an expired one might not be accepted.
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Be careful with previously attached documents as the nhs issued vaccination certificates both postal and download now have a short expiry date I think it’s only 30 days from memory, the form clearly states the QR code expires, the ones we downloaded last week expire the 14th March, put simply when the health lady scans it at ALC you won’t get the all important beep.
I keep banging on about taking hard copies but every issue you see at airports relate to IT problems, your going on holiday why not make the process easy for yourself.
So if you wanted to go out to your place for, say, 6 weeks, the vaccine cert will have expired before you are coming back. Does this matter, or is it only relevant on the way in to Spain?
I doubt it will matter as long as it’s valid when you reach Spain . You can always download a new one in Spain the nhs app works in Spain
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Ok, thanks, makes sense I think ( insofar as any of all this does! )
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I’ve heard some people have had issues as the last vaccine jab you have must be within 270 days unless you’ve had booster, some hadn’t had the booster so weren’t eligible to enter Spain as vaccinations exemption expired
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That's interesting having to attach your covid vaccination passport to the SPTH form, is that new ? As I haven't had to do that previously.
Yes that must be different as filled ours out yesterday and they didn’t ask for anything covid pass related but saw there was something which said add DCC’s and wasn’t sure what that was so I just added all 6 QR codes for both myself and my husband. Presumed that was what they were asking for. Interestingly I just went into the locator app on my phone so didn’t have to remeber my login details from last year. Just started a new form. Again I can’t complete until 48 hours before. Not sure what they are going to ask within 48 hours. I’m assuming have I any covid symptoms.
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Just thought the app would be easier, maybe I’ll just scrap & do website
Yes all is easier I use that
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That's interesting having to attach your covid vaccination passport to the SPTH form, is that new ? As I haven't had to do that previously.
Yes that must be different as filled ours out yesterday and they didn’t ask for anything covid pass related but saw there was something which said add DCC’s and wasn’t sure what that was so I just added all 6 QR codes for both myself and my husband. Presumed that was what they were asking for. Interestingly I just went into the locator app on my phone so didn’t have to remeber my login details from last year. Just started a new form. Again I can’t complete until 48 hours before. Not sure what they are going to ask within 48 hours. I’m assuming have I any covid symptoms.
What’s a locator app ? No wonder people get confused 🤷♂️
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SpTH also have an app