Spain holidays: Popular holiday spots hit with record Covid numbers – impact on travel

Simon Calder says he’s ‘holding off’ booking a holiday

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Spain is one of the most popular holidaying spots for Britons in need of some sun. The pandemic has led Governments all over the world to take new travel measures and restrictions, and Spain is no different.

A Spanish holiday may be a dream for many Britons but the country is currently experiencing record numbers of Covid cases.

Two of Spain’s regions, Costa Blanca and Valencia, have reported record numbers in the new year.

Yesterday, 22,800 new cases were counted in Valencia, the biggest weekend infection total since the start of the pandemic in March 2019.

The Valencian president, Ximo Puig, said: “This sixth coronavirus wave has a very high infection rate but the situation is very different from a year ago due to vaccinations.”

Mortality rates are 80 percent down over 12 months.

And the Valencian president said there would not be any new restrictions despite the record number of new cases.

This is good news for Spain holidays, with current restrictions already stopping some Britons form travelling.

Covid passports are in place in the country, and masks are again mandatory outdoors.

Some regions of Spain also have implemented curfews and holidaymakers are desperately trying to cancel their trip as they say it will not be a holiday.

The region of Valencia did not implement curfews, lower capacities or opening hours restrictions on non-essential businesses.

Ximo Puig did not rule out anything yet but said the Covid passport, ventilation and social distancing measures were working for now.

He said: “We have to participate in some kind of normalisation of social life.”

This is in sharp contrast to last year, when the region become known for having some of the toughest restrictions in Spain.

Hospitality and tourism associations were vocal in their criticism.

Spain holidays are already restricted for many British families.

The country’s entry requirements have been tightened in response to the Omicron variant.

Britons over 12 years old need to show proof of full vaccination, which means two doses in Spain.

Coupled with local restrictions, many holidaymakers have opted to stay away for the time being.

Cancellations have been widely reported and the local tourism industry has called the situation a “nightmare”.

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