Spain confirms 14-day quarantine for tourists will end by June 21 – but hols for Brits still in doubt
SPAIN's 14-day quarantine for foreign tourists will be lifted by June 21, it has been confirmed.
However, British holidays are still unlikely to happen any time soon as other tourists are to be welcomed first.
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Spanish Transport Minister Jose Abalos said the quarantine requirements will only be lifted earlier than the planned July 1 date so test runs can take place involving holidaymakers from countries with low coronavirus contagion rates.
His comments today in an interview with state broadcaster TVE’s programme La Mañana de la 1 make it more certain the trial scheme will go ahead - and won’t include Brits.
Tourism Minister Maria Reyes Maroto said yesterday holidaymakers from Germany and some Nordic countries were in the running to be allowed to take part in pilot schemes in places like the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands.
In a slap-down for the UK's hopes of being among the first nations to return to the Spanish Costas, she said: “There the health situation still has to improve.
“For us it is important to guarantee that people arrive healthy and leave healthy.”
Mr Abalos stressed the idea behind the pilot was to prepare the country for a full opening to international tourism in July with flights that “have as their origin and destination places with low levels of coronavirus contagion".
The tourism minister also confirmed inter-provincial travel in Spain could be possible in those areas which reach phase three of a four-phase coronavirus recovery programme next Monday - and between different parts of Spain allowed onto phase three.
Spain’s state of alarm is due to end on June 21 after a sixth extension, meaning peoples’ movement cannot be restricted.
Regions will have the power to decide whether residents can move between provinces once they go onto phase three.
Most of Andalucia, as well as all the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, are expected to move onto phase three and enjoy a new easing of coronavirus restrictions in a week’s time.
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The UK is also enforcing a 14-day quarantine for anyone entering the country from June 8.
A quick 20-minute test, however, is being considered by UK ministers instead of the 14-day quarantine.
The new proposal hopes to allow Brits to have a holiday abroad this year without needing to self-isolate for two weeks when returning to the country.
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