Spain welcomes visitors from UK for holidays – but British government still says don’t go

Spain has lifted its restrictions on travellers from the UK in a bid to boost its economy.

But the country is still on the UK government’s amber list, meaning people should not go unless it is for essential family or business reasons.

If tourists do decide to go to Spain, they will need to quarantine for 10 days and get tested twice after their return to the UK.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last week: “Spain will be delighted, very delighted to welcome all British tourists”.

“They are welcome to our country without restrictions and without health requirements.”

He said travellers from countries including New Zealand, South Korea, and China would also be welcome for non-essential travel.

Vaccinated travellers from non-European countries, including the US, will be welcome from June.

Some restrictions and curfews remain in force and rules may vary between regions.

Face coverings continue to be mandatory for anyone over the age of six on all forms of public transport and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces, while people are expected to socially distance at 1.5 metres.

Holidaymakers keen to visit countries on the government’s amber list such as Spain, France, Greece and Italy have been urged by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps not to go and have “more patience”.

Those returning to England from nations on the green list will need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and also a post-arrival test, but they will not need to self-isolate.

People coming from countries on the amber list will have to take a pre-departure test, and tests on day two and day eight of their arrival.

They will also be required to self-isolate for 10 days, unless they receive a negative result from an optional private test on day five of their arrival, under the test to release scheme, and can end their quarantine early.

Business minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan told Sky News on Monday: “The prime minister has been clear that, for now, amber means please don’t go unless there is an urgent family reason and so on.

“Because we are still trying to slowly move through our roadmap to being able to open up on 21 June and we want to do that in a steady and careful way.”

Meanwhile, Britons are now barred from entering Germany after the country’s health authorities designated the UK as a virus variant area of concern.

From today, people coming from Great Britain and Northern Ireland can only enter Germany if they are German citizens or residents.

Spouses and children under 18 of a German citizen or resident can also enter, as long as the household are travelling together.

Those with an urgent humanitarian reason such as an immediate family bereavement are also able to enter, however anyone entering the country from the UK must quarantine for two weeks on arrival, even if they test negative for the coronavirus.

Transit is allowed but passengers must not leave the airport transit area.