Brits advised against travel to Spain's Balearic and Canary Islands over Covid-19 risk
27 July 2020, 18:17
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Spain's Balearic and Canary Islands over fears of rising infections.
The government had previously only advised against travel to the mainland, telling travellers they would need to quarantine for 14-days upon arrival to the UK.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice for visits to Spain, saying: "The FCO advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks in the country."
An FCO spokesman said: "We have considered the overall situation for British nationals travelling to and from the Balearic and Canary Islands, including the impact of the requirement to self-isolate on return to the UK, and concluded that we should advise British nationals against all non-essential travel to the whole of Spain."
Government defends Spain quarantine move
Earlier today, the Spanish government said it was in talks with the UK about excluding the Balearic and Canary islands from its quarantine measures.
Downing Street had also warned that "no travel is risk free".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said decisions on border measures and travel advice "can be changed rapidly if necessary to help stop the spread of the disease".
He went on: "Unfortunately no travel is risk-free during this pandemic and disruption is possible and so anyone travelling abroad should be aware that our travel advice and exemption list is under constant review as we monitor the international situation."
Read more: What are your rights when returning to the UK from Spain?
Read more: UK adds Spain to quarantine list - Everything holidaymakers need to know
The announcement happened amid fears more European holidays could be thrown into disarray this summer with reports of potential new coronavirus lockdowns in France and Germany.
The change in the UK's quarantine policy on Spain over the weekend is being met with frustration from holidaymakers and travel firms.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is coming home early from a trip to Spain after the quarantine decision.
Mr Shapps told The Sun: "I think it's right to get back to work in the UK as soon as possible to help handle the situation.
"The sooner I get back from Spain myself, the sooner I can get through quarantine.
"So, I'm leaving my family to travel back to the UK on Wednesday."
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, who said he may have to cancel his planned trip to Ibiza, described it as a "very serious situation".
Downing Street added that holidaymakers who miss out on work because of the quarantine period may be eligible for Universal Credit or employment support allowance but not statutory sick pay.
Andrew Flintham, managing director of TUI UK and Ireland, called for a "more nuanced policy" to include rules based on regions as well as countries.
Tui has suspended all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including August 9.
