HOLIDAY BOOST
Spain confirms 14-day quarantine for foreign tourists will be scrapped from July in boost for Brit holiday hopes
by Natalia PenzaSPAIN has announced the 14-day quarantine on people jetting into the country from abroad will end on July 1.
It gives new hope for the millions of Brit tourists eyeing a return to the sun and surf on their summer holidays amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez confirmed the news tourist chiefs, hoteliers and holidaymakers had been waiting for - saying the quarantine will be ditched from the start of July.
In a tweet, she said: "The most difficult part is behind us.
“From July we will gradually reactivate international tourism, lift the quarantine and ensure health conditions.”
She posted her tweet minutes after telling Spanish TV station La Sexta in an interview: “The Prime Minister said it on Saturday, that international tourism would be relaunched from July.”
It came as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez invited foreign holidaymakers to book their stays on the Costas from July in a TV address on Saturday.
Spain’s tourism minister Reyes Maroto then said foreigners should plan to arrive from July when rules requiring new arrivals to self-isolate for 14 days would “likely be suspended.”
Meanwhile, sunseekers are returning to Costa beaches loved by British holidaymakers today following a new easing of Spain’s coronavirus restrictions.
But how summer holidays will work in practice remains to be seen with the UK introducing a 14-day quarantine for all arrivals from June 8.
That means a one-week getaway in the Spanish sunshine could mean Brits need to take three weeks off work.
Spanish beaches are also preparing to roll out strict social distancing measures to prevent them becoming hotspots for outbreaks.
It is expected Brits travelling to Spain will be met be measures such temperatures checks at the airports, and then strict guidelines at resorts.
Beaches on the Costa del Sol will be patrolled by an "army" beach assistants making sure people obey the rules.
Police and lifeguards will also be instructed to help enforce measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking on Sunday, the Spanish PM said: "From now, foreign tourists can plan their vacations in our country.
"We will guarantee that tourists will not run any risks and they will not bring us any risks. There will be a tourist season this summer.
He added that despite a major drop in coronavirus cases, caution was still needed to beat the virus - describing Spain as "one step away from victory".
The Prime Minister said that two months ago the county's R rate was 3 - meaning each person with the virus was infecting three others.
As of this week, the reproduction rate stands at 0.2, he said.
Spain is one of the worst impacted nations in the world, having 282,852 cases and 28,752 deaths.
It comes after Malaga was rocked by violence this week as expats fought in the street just two days after the port city's pubs reopened.
Trouble erupted on the popular Paseo de Pedregalejo "strip" which is home to dozens of bars and restaurants.
Benidorm has also announced the return of late night boozing.
Bars at the popular Brit resort were told they could re-open until 11pm at the end of last week but have now been given the green light to serve till 1am.