Spain holidays: Nation in talks with UK over ‘green corridor’ to allow travel

Spain announce travel ban for UK flights amid coronavirus strain

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Holidays could be back on for UK residents from May 17 if the Government’s reinstated Global Travel Taskforce finds it to be safe, and Spain could be on the list of destinations. According to Spain’s Tourism Minister Fernando Valdés the nation is in “discussions” with the UK over “green corridors.”

Speaking to Bloomberg, Mr Valdés said: “For us, the British market is our main market. But obviously, since we are a member of the European Union, the solutions have first to be part of the discussions in the EU.

“And obviously if that cannot be reached, we will be thinking of other corridors like green corridors with third countries that can help us restart tourism flows.”

The UK Government has not yet given any information or confirmation as to what these “green corridors” could entail.

However, they may be similar to the travel corridors which were set up in the summer of 2020 allowing holidaymakers to visit certain destinations.

The confirmation comes following a proposal put forward by the EU to put in place “green passes”.

The digital “green pass” would prove travellers had received their Covid vaccination.

They may also contain information regarding a traveller’s Covid test history and potentially state whether they have been diagnosed with the virus previously.

President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen confirmed plans, stating: “As for the question of what the digital green passport could look like: we will submit a legislative proposal in March.”

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Ms von der Leyen said the digital green pass “should facilitate Europeans’ lives”.

She said: “The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad – for work or tourism.”

As Spain is a member of the bloc, should the green passes be given the go ahead, travellers visiting Spain would likely need to follow the rule.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Downing Street press conference the UK was “working with international partners” on the issue.

“The EU is part of those discussions, as are several other countries around the world, and it’s obviously important work,” he said.

“What I’d also say is that in a sense this already exists because you need to have a test before you can travel to the UK and, as far as I understand it from the details set out today, the EU proposal is that certification includes both whether you’ve had the vaccine and also whether you’ve recently had a test for those who can’t get vaccinated yet, which is obviously particularly important.

“Therefore it’s something that we’re working with them and others on and it matters that we get the details of this right for international travel.”

Downing Street said Department for Transport officials are set to speak to the EU about the approach it is planning for the 27-member bloc.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman commented: “We have said that we are looking at the issue of vaccine passports.

“As you can expect, DfT (the Department for Transport) will work (with) and do speak to countries across the world in terms of how they may look to introduce passports.”

Despite the uncertainty around travel in the future, Skyscanner reports bookings have already surged for holidays to Spain.

“Spain is the top destination booked by UK travellers since the announcement was made, with the most popular outbound date being August,” said a Skyscanner spokesperson.

“Most trips will be a week or less in length, and the top destinations in Spain are Malaga, Palma and Ibiza.”

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