The measure, which will be temporary, will come into effect from 00:00 hours on March 13, 2020 until 23:59 hours on March 26, 2020.
However, in the case of cruise ships from any port, until 00 hours on March 15, 2020, entry into Spanish ports will be permitted for the sole purpose of allowing the disembarkation of citizens who wish to do so, who will not be able to re-embark.
The Council of Ministers, which met today in an extraordinary session, has deemed it necessary to apply, as an exceptional measure to limit the spread and contagion of COVID-19, the prohibition of entry into Spain of passenger ships from the Italian Republic, as well as cruise ships of any origin that have a destination in Spanish ports.
The measure will be in effect from 00:00 hours on March 13, 2020 until 23:59 hours on March 26, 2020.
However, in the case of cruise ships from any port, until 00 hours on March 15, 2020, entry into Spanish ports will be permitted for the sole purpose of allowing the disembarkation of citizens who wish to do so, who will not be able to re-embark.
This measure will be temporary for 14 days, which may be extended for additional periods not exceeding 14 days and will be evaluated periodically taking into account the evolution of the epidemic worldwide and, especially, in Italy.
This restriction, which is complementary to the one established last Tuesday, March 10, for direct flights between Italy and Spanish airports, is taken to reduce the risk linked to the health situation of the port of origin, since the presence of COVID-19 cases on a ship would have a very significant impact on both the passengers and crew, as well as on the health services of the town where the ship docks.
The prohibition will not apply to state vessels, vessels carrying cargo exclusively, vessels engaged in humanitarian, medical, or emergency voyages, or the drivers of tractor units transporting rolling stock. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health may exceptionally lift the prohibitions for duly authorized vessels, in which case all necessary health control measures will be adopted to prevent them from posing a risk to the population of our country.
