Spain has confirmed it will lift the 14-day quarantine rule for foreign tourists on June 21.
Transport Minister Jose Abalos said it was being lifted earlier than the July 1 date so test runs can take place involving holidaymakers from countries and places with low coronavirus contagion rates.
Tourism Minister Maria Reyes Maroto said on Sunday that 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 and British holidaymaker hopes of being among the first to return to the Spanish Costas, she was quoted as saying: “There the health situation still has to improve.
“For us it is important to guarantee that people arrive healthy and leave healthy.”
Mr Abalos’ 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.
He 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.”
Mr Abalos 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.
