Unvaccinated Brits can now travel to Spain as the country enjoys its hottest May on record. On Saturday, Spanish tourism minister Reyes Maroto told the BBC that the "new phase of the pandemic" meant the country was able to relax Covid entry rules.
"This is excellent news, much awaited by the tourism sector," he said. "Spain is becoming one of the most desired destinations in the world." Visitors to Spain must now present either a vaccination certificate, a negative test certification or a certificate of recovery to enter.
Plymouth Live reports that those who are fully vaccinated do not need to take a test but still need to show proof they are jabbed. Julia Lo Bue-Said from the Advantage Travel Partnership, an independent travel agent group, told the BBC: "This is very good news just ahead of the May half-term and peak season."
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She added: "However, it is disappointing that Spain has not gone further and removed the need for pre-arrival tests for unvaccinated travellers given the minimal benefit these tests have for public health. Consumers want to travel with ease and if destinations prohibit this, then they will go elsewhere."
The Association of British Travel Agents added: "This summer is expected to be the busiest holiday season since the start of the pandemic, with 70% of families saying they have a holiday abroad booked this year."
Spain is currently experiencing a sweltering heatwave after putting into place an extreme weather alert, with the BBC reporting that the city of Jaén in southern Spain recorded its highest ever May temperature of 40C on Friday. Spain's unseasonably warm spring weather is reportedly a result of hot air coming from North Africa, causing temperatures to rise by up to 15C above average for this time of year.
