BRITISH holidaymakers' bookings for Spain have soared by 400% since the UK government announced its residents would not have to quarantine upon their return if they had been fully vaccinated by the National Health Service (NHS).
This takes effect from today (Monday, July 19) but does not apply to British nationals living in 'amber' countries visiting the UK – unlike those travelling in reverse, they will still have to quarantine for 10 days even if they are fully vaccinated.
The Department for Transport (DfT) says it is 'exploring' the possibility of officially recognising the EU 'Covid passport' proving incoming visitors from 'amber' countries have been immunised, but this is not yet the case.
Spain remains on 'amber', as does France, Greece, Italy and Portugal, among other popular European summer destinations, meaning tourists from the UK who are not vaccinated are obliged to take a Covid test before departing for home, another two days after arrival and a third on day eight, whilst self-isolating for 10 days.
Those resident in Britain and travelling to Spain or any other 'amber' nation do not have to quarantine when they get home, but still have to take two Covid tests, before setting off for the UK and on day two after arrival.
The exception is France – the British government announced on Friday that holidaymakers returning from the neighbouring country would need to quarantine for 10 days, even if they are fully immunised.
Under-18s travelling with adults do not have to self-isolate when returning from 'amber' countries, the UK government says.
Balearics and Costa del Sol ‘optimistic’
Until July 14, the Balearic Islands were on 'green' and the rest of Spain on 'amber', but it was later announced that the whole country would be on 'amber' from then.
Balearic regional tourism minister Iago Negueruela says this 'does not matter' as fully-immunised adults, and children under 18, do not have to quarantine upon their return, meaning the market the islands are mainly seeking to attract – families with children, or older adults – will be covered by the exemption from self-isolation.
That said, a spokeswoman for tour operator TUI says the move from 'green' to 'amber' is 'disappointing', since those who had already booked a 'well-deserved holiday' in the Balearic Islands or who planned to 'reunite with loved ones' in the region are now likely to be forced to cancel if they are not yet fully vaccinated.
TUI slams the 'continuing lack of transparency over methodology and data' behind the 'constant changes in criteria' make it 'incredibly difficult for customers to make advance bookings with confidence'.
According to the Association of British Travel Agencies (ABTA), the 'continuous changes in travel restrictions' will 'delay any significant recovery for the industry' in the UK.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com