Spain is set to lift the 14-day quarantine rule for foreign tourists on June 21 as the country seeks to attract holidaymakers despite the Covid-19 crisis.
Transport Minister Jose Abalos said the rule was being lifted earlier than the previously proposed July 1 date so test runs can take place involving holidaymakers from countries and places with low coronavirus contagion rates.
The new June 21 deadline will also coincide with the end of Spain's state of alarm after a sixth extension, meaning peoples’ movement in the country cannot be restricted.
Regions will thereafter have the power to decide whether residents can move between provinces once as the country moves into phase three of its Covid-19 lockdown exit plan.
Mr Abalos’ comments came after 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 the pilot tourism schemes in places like the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands.
In a slap-down for British holidaymakers hoping of being among the first foreigners to visit Spain again, 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 stressed the idea behind the pilot was to prepare Spain 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.”
He also confirmed inter-provincial travel in Spain could be possible in those areas which reach phase three of the country's four-phase coronavirus recovery programme next Monday.
Most of Andalucia, as well as all the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, are expected to move onto phase three and enjoy a relaxation of existing coronavirus restrictions in a week’s time.
Spain's coronavirus outbreak has killed more than 27,000 people to date.
