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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Natalia Penza & Jonathan Coles

Spain allows UK tourists from next week without quarantine - following Portugal

British holidaymakers will be allowed to enter Spain from Monday, officials have confirmed.

The Spanish government said on Friday it would follow Portugal’s lead and let UK tourists in without self-isolation.

It announced the decision in an official state bulletin.

Thousands are now expected to fly to Spain next week, traditionally the UK’s favourite foreign holiday destination.

It is unclear if tourists will have to show they have been vaccinated or have proof of a negative test at this stage.

Spain is currently on Britain's 'amber' travel list, meaning anyone returning will need to quarantine for 10 days.

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Holidaymakers will be able to jet off to Spain (PinPep / BEEM)

Holidaymakers can currently only travel to a select number of 'green' countries without quarantine under Covid rules.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier this week that people should not be visiting 'amber' countries, although it is legal.

He spoke out after Environment Secretary George Eustice said people could go to such countries to visit family or friends as long as they observed the rules on their return.

But Health Secretary Mr Hancock also later told a Downing Street press conference: "We have been absolutely crystal clear that you should not go to an amber or red list country on holiday, you should only go in exceptional circumstances."

The Spanish Interior Ministry announcement confirming the move to put the UK on Spain’s non-EU exemption list, which also applies to Japan, said: "At present the European Union is debating a modification of the recommendation on a temporary restriction of non-essential journeys from outside the EU.

It is expected that a negative test or proof of vaccination will be needed to enter (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

"It’s foreseeable that Japan and the UK will be included in the list of country exempted.

"Several EU states have already put those two countries in that privileged position.

"Spain receives each year a number of visitors from the UK which is especially relevant in relative and absolute terms and many economic sectors need to adapt their capacity in anticipation of border changes.

"In light of all this, and after consulting with other government departments which are affected, order INT/657/2020 dated July 17 is modified to include Japan and the UK on the exempted list.

"The modification will take effect from midnight on May 24."

Welcoming the Spanish government's news, Antonio Mayor, President of the Benidorm, Costa Blanca and Valencia Region Hotel Association Hosbec, said: "This is great.

A local official said he was "delighted" with the announcement (LightRocket via Getty Images)

"Everything that means opening borders and trying to normalise mobility is good news.

"We are delighted with the announcement.

"The important thing now is that the UK puts us on green light status.

"We expect many British tourists will now come to Spain but green light status would encourage even more."

The decision has been made because Spain receives a "particularly relevant" number of visitors from the UK, "so many economic sectors need to adapt their capacities in advance of the changes that occur at borders," reports El Pais.

The update comes after it was reported this week that restrictions are being eased in hotspots like Magaluf and Ibiza.

This means incoming tourists will be able to enjoy bars and restaurants both indoors and outdoors after months of restrictions.

Bars that have been shut for months are now re-opening their doors, reports say.

Those that have been open have been stifled by restrictions which included customers only allowed on terraces and venues shutting at 5pm each night

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