Spain welcomes visitors from UK for holidays - but British government urges travellers to have ‘more patience’

Spain has welcomed visitors from the UK for holidays after lifting its restrictions in a bid to boost its economy.

But the move comes as the European destination is still on the UK government’s amber list.

This means people should not travel to the country unless it is for essential family or business reasons.

If someone travels from the UK to Spain they will be required to quarantine for ten days and get tested twice after their return to the UK.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last week: "Spain will be delighted, very delighted to welcome all British tourists".

"They are welcome to our country without restrictions and without health requirements."

Travellers from countries including New Zealand, South Korea and China would also be welcome for non-essential travel, Mr Sanchez said.

The decision arrived after Spain’s nationwide State of Emergency, declared by the government in October last year, came to an end on 9 May.

Restrictions and curfews on hospitality remain in force throughout the country, and vary between regions.

Face coverings continue to be mandatory for anyone over the age of six on all forms of public transport and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces, while social distancing is still in place

UK government urges travellers to have ‘more patience'

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has urged travellers keen to visit countries on the government’s amber list not to go and have “more patience”.

Popular destinations including Spain, France, Greece and Italy are all currently on the amber list.

Travellers returning to England from nations on the green list will need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and also a post-arrival test, but they will not need to self-isolate.

People coming from countries on the amber list will have to take a pre-departure test, and tests on day two and day eight of their arrival.

They will also be required to self-isolate for 10 days, unless they receive a negative result from an optional private test on day five of their arrival, under the test to release scheme, and can end their quarantine early.