Spain holidays: Latest Spain update as Ibiza hopes Britons will be ‘first back’ in May

Spain announce travel ban for UK flights amid coronavirus strain

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Spain travel rules have become increasingly complicated throughout the course of the pandemic. Currently, Spain has banned UK arrivals over Covid concerns while Britain has blocked its citizens from non-essential travel. All in all, a pretty bleak outlook when its come to jetting off on holiday.

However, a ray of hope broke through as the islands of Ibiza today announced its optimism for the return of British holidaymakers in May.

Hoteliers and entrepreneurs are positive about the success of the Covid vaccine in this country.

Both the Hoteliers Association of Ibiza and Formentera (Fehif) and the Balearic Business Association CAEB are now hoping that the British holidaymakers, who traditionally make up a large proportion of the tourists in Ibiza, will return soon return.

“The UK is our main market and it is good news that the UK’s vaccination rates are so good. They will be the first to come back to the island,” said Fehif Chair Ana Gordillo.

The deputy chairman of the Hoteliers Association of the Ibizan city of Sant Antoni, Juan José Planells, said there has already been a “small increase” in bookings from Great Britain for the coming summer in the past few weeks.

“There is a glimmer of hope, but it will very much depend on how things are in Ibiza in May,” he said.

But Spain still has a “long way” to go to reduce the coronavirus incidence.

Gordillo and Planells are both calling for a “special vaccination plan” for Ibiza as the island is highly dependent on tourism.

For now, Britons are not allowed to travel to Ibiza or Spain.

The latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) update said: “On December 22, 2020, Spain introduced travel restrictions on passenger travel from the UK by air and sea.”

“These measures have been extended until 6pm (GMT+1) on March 2, 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain.”

Transit through Spain is still possible at this time but a negative Covid test is needed.

“International transit through Spanish airports by passengers on flights departing from the UK is permitted on presentation of a negative PCR, TNA or LAMP test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival into Spain. See Transiting Spain,” the FCDO explained.

Spain has a very strict stance on coronavirus testing for those entering the country.

The FCDO clarifies: “All passengers (excluding children under the age of 6 years old) travelling to Spanish airports and ports from ‘risk’ countries (as determined by the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control) will be required to present a negative PCR swab test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, in order to enter the country.

“From December 10, 2020, a TMA (Transcription-Mediated Amplification) swab test or a LAMP (Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification) test are also accepted by Spanish authorities, again taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.

“While TMA and LAMP tests are not currently widely available in the UK, you should refer to testing facilities directly for specific information on the types of tests available to you, prior to booking an appointment.

“The UK is currently on the ‘risk’ countries list and passengers arriving from the UK are therefore subject to this requirement.”

Living in Spain does not make you exempt from this rule.

“This requirement applies to all passengers arriving in Spain by air or sea, regardless of your residency status in Spain and the length of time you intend on staying,” said the FCDO.

Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg

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