Holiday destinations abroad Scots could visit this year as countries ease lockdown

Popular tourist hotspots abroad are slowly easing lockdown measures.

With summer fast approaching, Scots would normally be gearing up to jet away on a holiday.

Coronavirus lockdown has put a hold on all foreign travel, with the UK Government set to impose a 14-day quarantine on anyone who has been abroad.

However, many countries are offering to make a pact with the UK to scrap quarantine to allow tourists to travel if they are healthy.

It comes as popular tourist destinations abroad are now slowly easing lockdown rules as infection rates drop.

This means it may be likely that Scots can go abroad later in the year.

The measures will be reviewed regularly as ministers hope to negotiate with other top tourist destinations with low levels of infection, the Mirror reports.

So, what lies ahead for travel this year?

Spain

Population: 46,940,000

Death toll: 28, 628

UK visitors a year: 15.3m

Spain announced it was ready to welcome Brits from July.

Lockdown has eased in about half the country including the Costa del Sol.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the country will lift quarantine restrictions for foreigners from July 1.

Bars, hotels, restaurants and inland hotels have been told to "prepare to resume business in a few days".

Beaches will reopen by end of the month with new social distancing rules.

Restaurants in Barcelona and Madrid can only serve 10 customers.

Masks on public transport and recommended for activities where social distancing is not guaranteed. Quarantine period lifted at end of June.

Portugal

Population: 10,280,000,

Death toll: 1,289

UK visitors a year: 2.8m

Hotels are set to start reopening on June 1. Each room must be unoccupied for at least 24 hours between guests.

Beaches set to open on June 6 with social distancing.

Beach sports such as volleyball limited to two.

In the Algarve, three quarters of hotels expected to reopen next month.

Face masks mandatory on public transport and enclosed spaces.

Public gatherings of more than 10 people will be banned.

Tourists are welcome again. Brits will not be quarantined if the UK does the same.

Greece

Population: 10,720,000

Death toll: 169

UK visitors a year: 2.4m

Hotels and tourist spots set to reopen from June 1.

Some beaches have already opened with strict social distancing.

Customers can sit outside restaurants and bars, however beach bars stay shut.

International flights resume on June 15 from countries deemed safe.

Cruise ships banned from docking in ports.

There is an offer to scrap a 14-day quarantine on arriving Brits if the UK does the same.

Turkey

Population 82,000,000

Death toll: 4, 746

UK visitors a year: 2.5m

Hotels and beaches could reopen by next weekend. But travellers must quarantine for 14 days.

Masks are to be mandatory on public transport and in public places.

Sun loungers must be 1.5m apart when beaches reopen.

Italy

Population: 60,360,000

Death toll: 32,616

UK visitors a year: 4.3m

Portugal's borders are to reopen on June 3.

Bars and cafes have already reopened and beaches are expected to follow soon.

Face masks will be mandatory in enclosed public spaces and beach umbrellas must be five metres apart.

Some hotels are likely to reopen next month.

Italy is expected to press for exemption from the UK’s quarantine rule.

France

Population 66,990,000

Death toll: 28,289

UK visitors a year: 8.5m

Borders are set to remain closed until at least June 15.

Bars and cafes are likely to reopen on June 2, with some beaches already slowly reopening.

Face masks are mandatory on public transport.

UK tourists will be welcome with an “air bridge and sea corridor” deal.

If the UK imposes a 14-day quarantine rule on all arrivals from June 8, France will do the same to anyone from Britain.