Spain is praying for an Irish invasion next week to help save their tourist season.
From July 19, people can fly from Ireland across the EU with a digital Covid certificate and without a PCR test leaving beforehand or to quarantine at home on your return.
Covid is on the march again as the Malaga region prepares for a fifth wave with young people catching the virus but deaths and hospitalisations remain low.
A level two set of restrictions have been imposed which means only six people can sit at a table indoors, and eight outdoors.
Bars and restaurants are to close an hour earlier at 1am and can’t let any new customers in after midnight.
Discos must close at 2am but can only have 75% capacity indoors, however, the terraces outdoors can be full.
Drinks can be served at the bar and buffet services permitted provided customers are kept 1.5 metres apart. Shops can only be 75% full indoors while gyms can only operate at 65% capacity indoors.
Tracy Harmon, owner of Harmon’s bar in Elviria, said trade remains sluggish.
She added: “It has been very quiet here. In terms of revenue for June we are at 50% of where we should be.
“Irish people have only started to really come out in the last few weeks but so far it is mostly those with holiday homes or people who are very creative in terms of getting out of the country.
“We are really waiting for the Irish and British tourists to start flying in from next week, but I would imagine it will be a gradual thing.
“Many people with young children will have made plans and are not suddenly going to change them because the Irish, British and Spanish Governments are relaxing some of the rules.
“ We expect the next few months right through to the end of October to be busy with Irish and British tourists.
“ I know many are just chomping at the bit to come out here and get some sunshine.”
