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How long to quarantine/isolate in Spain if test positive for return to the US?

Hi All,

I have tried to figure out what the requirements would be if either my husband or I tested positive for our return flight to the US. (This would be May 11, so maybe they'll drop the testing requirement.) I know it's a US requirement to test, but I believe we are supposed to follow the local guidelines for the time periods. I have seen things with 5 days, or 10 days, but can't figure out which would apply.

I'm trying to be pro-active in case the worst happens. I know our hotel in Madrid has quarantine rooms, but I believe we'd be on our own for food, etc. I have read Carol's post in the COVID section about her friend's quarantine experience.

Does anyone know what the rules are, or have experience with testing positive?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
7453 posts

It is up to the local authorities for the most part, based on the symptoms you have and how long they present. Secondarily, since you may still test positive after the quarantine period, you may need a letter of recovery from a Doctor, and the airline will expect some standard period of isolation as well.

In the event of a positive test, either self-test or at a clinic, contact a Doctor immediately (your hotel will help) and get under care. They can document your symptoms, and determine length of isolation, and likely issue a letter of recovery if you are still testing positive. The worst thing to do would be to do a positive self test, tell no one, then go looking for help after whatever period of isolation you may have heard is OK.

Posted by
4217 posts

According to local guidelines, you're good if mild/asymptomatic: https://www.thelocal.es/20220323/covid-19-spain-scraps-self-isolation-for-asymptomatic-and-mild-cases/

As to where you get a letter of recovery for the flight home and how long to delay your flight if you are so unlucky as to catch covid on vacation, I just wish us both luck. I'm going in May too, and I have not gotten very far in my research. I'm kinda just hoping they'll eliminate the testing requirement, wishful magical thinking got me this far in life...

I've also read accounts, but I have not paid much attention to what they did to get home.

Posted by
8261 posts

The United States Government asks only for either a negative test or a certificate of recovery.

Posted by
771 posts

A big thanks to all who have responded.

I have bookmarked the quick.md site, and will call our medical center tomorrow to find out if they have a procedure.

the local.es seems to be behind a paywall, but I could see a bit of the articles.

We are flying United, so I would have to follow their rules.

So if Spain has eliminated isolation, but we have to wait 10 days for the certificate of recovery, it’s possible we wouldn’t be confined to the hotel room, and could maybe go wander in a park?

We both just had our 2nd booster and mask regularly, so hopefully this is just unnecessary precautions, but it’s more calming to know what might be, rather than be surprised over there.

Posted by
4217 posts

That is how I am reading it--here is the subtitle from the article, which sums it up nicely:

From Monday March 28th, people in Spain who test positive for Covid-19
but are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms will no longer be required
to quarantine for seven days.