What happens if one of us tests positive in Spain?

Dr_Wu

Hi, my wife and I are booked to travel for a weeks holiday to Spain at the end of September (Flying from Scotland to Malaga). We are both doubly vaccinated. I'm just about getting my head around what is required in terms of testing 3 days before leaving Spain for home then having a test booked to take 2 days after we get back to Scotland. So far so good! What I can't seem to find any information on however is what happens if when we take the test in Spain, 3 days before we're due to fly back home, one or both of us tests positive? As although we're doubly vaccinated it's entirely possible that we could still contract Coronavirus. As always, all advice gratefully recieved and thanks in advance.

superbigal

If you have a package with TUI you will have free cover for this eventuality.
https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/our-promise?vlid=tuigreenstrip43

Otherwise you need to check your travel insurance and the rules of testing positive in Spain.

If you are tested and the result is positive, you must self-isolate in your accommodation until contacted by local Spanish authorities. Contact times may vary across regions and can take up to 48-72 hours. You may be able to remain in your existing accommodation, or be required to transfer into a state hospital or other government-provided accommodation. You may be required to fund accommodation whilst you wait to be transferred.

Dr_Wu

superbigal said:

If you have a package with TUI you will have free cover for this eventuality.
Otherwise you need to check your travel insurance and the rules of testing positive in Spain.

If you are tested and the result is positive, you must self-isolate in your accommodation until contacted by local Spanish authorities. Contact times may vary across regions and can take up to 48-72 hours. You may be able to remain in your existing accommodation, or be required to transfer into a state hospital or other government-provided accommodation. You may be required to fund accommodation whilst you wait to be transferred.

Interesting, we're staying in an airbnb, which will be booked for new occupants the same day we are due to leave so we would have to go somewhere else if there is a 10 day isolation period. It's quite a worry, I wonder how many people currently booking holidays are asking the 'what if?' question?

GingerTim

Worth having a look at the Trip Advisor forum for Spain, seems to be happening more frequently, with people reporting they've tested positive before flying back. Also increasing are the number of people having to isolate for 10 days when back in the UK, despite having both doses of the vaccine, because someone on the flight subsequently tested positive.

R3dders

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/i-am-paying-2000-sleep-21114156. Heres an example of what can happen.

GingerTim

R3dders said:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/i-am-paying-2000-sleep-21114156. Heres an example of what can happen.

Ouch. Reminds me of those lads who were stuck in Italy last year for about three months.

Westin

R3dders said:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/i-am-paying-2000-sleep-21114156. Heres an example of what can happen.

Why were the kids not in school?

Dr_Wu

R3dders said:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/i-am-paying-2000-sleep-21114156. Heres an example of what can happen.

Hmm, we'd only stand to lose about £300 in total if we cancelled, not much in the grand scheme of things, maybe even less if we were able to use easyjet/Ryanair rebooking policy on an internal flight before the end of the year. We would also have to shell out around £250 for Covid tests if we went to Spain which again we wouldn't have to pay for if we cancelled. I'm increasingly starting to think it's not worth the hassle, accepting that we jumped the gun on this occassion and cutting our losses.

So, what's Skegness like in late September??

greyteam1959

I have a property in Spain & this is why I will not be going out there for the just yet.
The cost of the tests & the possibility of getting stuck out there is just to much of a risk for me.

Dr_Wu

greyteam1959 said:

I have a property in Spain & this is why I will not be going out there for the just yet.
The cost of the tests & the possibility of getting stuck out there is just to much of a risk for me.

And that's with your own property, that's pretty much made our minds up. We'll stay put, the main thing is that the 7 day break would be spoiled to a large extent by anxiety re the impending test results and that rather defeats the point of a holiday. We were in Spain in March 2020 during the first lockdown so we'll wait until we're as sure as can be until we head back. So many places in the UK still to explore and late Sept can be a very nice time. Thanks for all replies.

michael1234

If you test positive while abroad do you not need to wait until you can get at least a negative LF test before you can come back to the UK? I heard that could take many weeks (even months) after infection?