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Step-by-step process for pandemic travel

This fall, October, 2021, Sarah and I traveled to Spain for a three week vacation. We were eager to travel again and curious about the new processes. Sarah and I are both vaccinated (got the two Pfizer shots back in March, 2021). With that protection we felt quite confidant about traveling abroad as well as living life in general. Although it is specific to Spain, I understand other European countries have similar requirements. 

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Two weeks before travel


  1. Purchase a Portable Covid-19 test kit

- We bought the QuickVue At-Home kit online

https://www.cityhealthuc.com/rapidreturn/ 

- We packed both kits in our carry-on luggage to be used at the end of our trip.


One week before travel


  1. Download Spain Health App for international travel (SpTh on Apple iPhone app store)

  - Fill in fields; address, destination,       passport number, etc. 

 - You must wait until 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain to complete.


2. Reserve Minute Clinic appointment  (or similar location) for antigen test.

 - (An antigen test is a painless self administered nasal swab with Q-tip)


Day before International travel 


  1. Visit Minute Clinic for antigen test

 - Afterwards you will:

 - Receive phone call of results (about 15 minutes later).

 - Receive text message of results (about 20 minutes later).


2. Complete your Spain Health App SpTh for international travel

 - Enter your Vaccine data, press complete.

 - Receive QR code


Day of International travel 


1. Arrival to airport

 - Proceed to International Travel Counter

 - Show Passport and copy of Covid test

2. At Gate

 - Fill out two brief forms, one for America and one for Netherlands regarding health. (We flew through Amsterdam) 

 - Present these boarding forms to gate agent to get stamped with MSP letters.

 - Leave American health form with gate agent

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Day of Arrivals

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1. Connecting airport (Amsterdam)

 - Deplane into gate area

 - Procede to passport control

 - Show passport and hand over Dutch health form (filled out at MSP)

- Proceed to gate and board plane


2. Final destination airport (Seville)

 - Deplane and enter airport receiving     area

 - Attendant scans QR code and ask for your passport and Vaccination card for visual confirmation

 - Proceed to luggage carousel and out to taxi.


Day before return to USA


Make sure you have wifi for your phone.


  1. Pull out portable Covid-19 test kit and set on table in your apt./hotel

  • Scan QR code on cover of box with phone
  • Respond to prompts on phone

  • You are welcomed into virtual waiting room and in a few seconds a monitor introduces himself. I asked and they said they are in the Philippines. 

  • This monitor walks you through the testing process using your Covid-19 test.

  • After a painless nasal swab you wait ten minutes while your swab sits in a vile from the kit.

  • Ten minutes later the monitor comes on again and asks you to remove the swab and show it to him.

  • If there is no pink on the swab you do not have Covid.

  • He says he will send a notification. A minute later I received both a text message and an email.

  • This was a link to a pdf of the negative test result.

  • I saved this to my phone.


2. Online check-in

  • Use Delta App

  • Follow prompts and fill in fields

  • Download your pdf test results where required


Day of Return to USA


1. Secure ride to airport

  • Bring baggage to luggage drop desk/counter

  • Show Passport (PP) and Boarding Pass (BP) 

  • Show electronic Covid-19 test result


2. Security and & Passport control

  • This process is same as the usual processes

  • Board airplane for flight home


Arrival in USA


  1. Deplane and walk to Customs Area

  • Show passport to agent

  • Procede to luggage carousel 

  • Head to connecting flight


The process requires a few additional steps but nothing more arduous than going to the DMV! Having adapted to new procedures 20 years ago following 9/11 we were pleased with the ease and safety of the new requirements.


We traveled by train, subway, bus, and taxis. No problems at all though it was mandatory to wear masks while using these forms of pubic transportation. While outdoors we did not wear masks and the majority of Spaniards did not either. It was all very relaxed. 


Joyfully,

Joel & Sarah 

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