The UK kept its borders open for arrivals from most countries without any quarantine requirements until June (read more here) while other countries introduced restrictions already in March.
The UK then briefly introduced mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals (for the show) and shortly after came up with safe/non-safe countries list (read more here) that was valid from July 10. The government unexpectedly announced late Saturday that all arrivals from Spain must quarantine for 14-days from Sunday.
UPDATE: BA is now offering vouchers for travel to/from Spain:
If you’re travelling to and from Spain
Answer Id 5658 Updated 26/07/2020 11.41 AM (UK time)Summary Our flights to Spain continue to operate as normal
More informationThe UK Government has changed its advice to people travelling to and from Spain. You can find further information on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
If you no longer wish to travel to Spain from the UK, or travel from Spain to the UK, you can claim a voucher for future travel here.
If you are returning from Spain and wish to make a change to you booking, please contact us.
It seems that the infection rates are slightly rising in the EU/EEA and the UK.
They are definitely up in Spain.
North-Eastern Spain is the hotspot of the moment.
Here are all the updates from the UK:
25 July 2020
Spain – update to advise against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain
24 July 2020
Update to travel exemptions list. Additional 19 countries and territories added: Laos, Cambodia, Fiji, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Guadeloupe, St Barthelemy, St Martin, St Maarten, Aruba, New Caledonia, Curacao, Cook Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory, Falkland Islands, St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cuna
10 July 2020
Updated to reflect travel corridors coming into effect on 10 July. You may not have to self-isolate when you arrive in the UK from some countries and territories
10 July 2020
Serbia was removed from the exemptions list based on the latest assessment of risks there. The FCO advises against non-essential travel to Serbia
4 July 2020
Updated as the travel exemptions come into effect
3 July 2020
First published.
Here’s how British tourists were behaving in Mallorca:
La vieja normalidad de Punta Ballena, Magaluf. Vídeo de: Michels. @UHmallorca pic.twitter.com/0gc8YXi5ha
— Guillermo Esteban (@GuillEsteban) July 11, 2020
Conclusion
This leaves tourists from Britain that are already in Spain in an awkward position. They must quarantine for 14 days upon returning to their homes – a requirement that was not in place when they left.
Not sure how this works with those who need to show up for work? Do they need to take a two-week-long unpaid leave?
The UK hasn’t banned traveling to Spain, and thus those who decide not to go are not eligible for refunds from airlines, hotels, and other travel providers.
Nobody could have guessed that the infection numbers will rise when you mix sun, sea, sand, sex, nightclubs, beach clubs, bars, and alcohol, right? The worst-hit areas of Spain have already closed nightclubs again, and bars now must close by midnight.
I was planning to go to Spain in late August/early September for a couple of weeks. I may have to revisit my plans.
