Spain extends controls on travelers from Italy for another 15 days

Spain has extended controls on travelers arriving from Italy for another 15 days, after Italy prolonged its suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. The measure, published in the Official State Gazette, will remain in force until Sept. 22.

Italy announced on July 31 that it would suspend the European free-movement agreement with Spain because of what it described as a national security concern linked to the migration crisis in Ceuta. That decision brought back border checks at ports and airports for travelers arriving from Spain.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called on Rome to lift the restrictions, but Italy did not do so. Spain then suspended Schengen arrangements with Italy until Sept. 7 and introduced checks on travelers arriving from that country.

The Interior Ministry’s new order extends the Spanish controls from Sept. 8 to Sept. 22. It says the urgent circumstances and serious threat to public order and internal security that prompted the measure continue to exist.

The order also says the measure will undergo continuous review. It will end before the scheduled date if the threats disappear or authorities can address them effectively through less restrictive measures.