Can I go on holiday to Spain now? Latest travel update
HOLIDAYS abroad can go ahead from today as the latest travel restrictions have been lifted.
Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Spain right now.
Is Spain on the green list?
Spain has been left off the green list, along with most of Europe. It is instead on the amber list, which means you will need:
- A negative test taken before returning to the UK
- Mandatory ten-day quarantine at home
- Two Covid tests, taken on day two and day eight
Countries have been placed on a green, amber or red list depending on the risk they pose to the UK, as well as the current Covid situation in the country and their own vaccine rollout.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged Brits not to travel to amber list destinations, which includes Spain, unless "absolutely necessary".
Just 32 per cent of the Spanish population has been given the first jab of the vaccine, compared to the UK's 54 per cent.
Only if cases go down and the vaccine rollout is sped up, will it likely be put onto the "green" list for the summer.
The Transport Secretary said the green list would be updated regularly so they could green light more destinations as early as next month.
The next review is set to take place in three weeks after travel starts again on May 17 - so June 7 - although experts fear most of Europe will miss out again.
What are the travel restrictions for Spain?
Spain has already said they want Brits back from June with vaccine passports or negative Covid tests.
Spanish tourism minister Fernando Valdes Verelst said: “June will be the start of the recovery of tourism in Spain.
“By then, we will have a digital vaccination certificate in place and we will be able to reopen our borders.”
He said Spain was pushing for the UK’s proposed digital pass to be “mutually recognised”, adding he welcomed PM Boris Johnson’s plans to restart international travel.
Spain's state of alarm was lifted on May 9, with current lockdown restrictions differing per region but include night-time curfews and limits on restaurant and bar capacities.
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Only Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel are the short-haul destinations on the green list.
It also includes Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands and the Falklands.
Greece is already welcoming vaccinated Brits, and will allow tourists to use their NHS vaccine cards as proof.
Thankfully UK holidays can already go ahead with group holidays and hotels bookings restarting from today.