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British Tourists Warned Of Further Covid Restrictions And Disruption In Spain This Summer Spain News

British holidaymakers visiting Spain this summer have been warned of the potential for further Covid restrictions and travel disruption.

Despite the gradual lifting of restrictions in recent months and more than 7 million tourists visiting the country in May, holidaymakers are bracing themselves for further restrictions following a recent surge in Covid cases.

Spain’s Minister for Health Carolina Darias recently called for “prudence” following a recent spike in Covid cases, recommending that people continue to wear face masks indoors.

The Minister warned: "We know from other countries, such as Portugal, that we are facing omicron sublineages that are more transmissible but less serious in relation to previous stages.

Although the mandatory wearing of masks was lifted back in mid-April, they still remain a strict requirement when travelling on public transport and in hospitals, care homes and other medical facilities.

There are fears that they could become mandatory indoors once again following a recent rise in the number of hospitalisations believed to be caused by the Omicron variants BA4 and BA5.

However, it is believed that despite the variants being more transmissible than the original strain of the virus, the cases are not as severe, placing less pressure on the country’s hospitals.

One of the most popular destinations for British travellers, the Canary Islands, is preparing itself for further Covid measures with public health official Amos Garcia Rojas saying that the reintroduction of face masks indoors cannot be ruled out this summer.

"The pandemic is not gone. It is necessary to continue maintaining certain restrictions and care, perhaps in the obligation to wear a mask indoors, if the situation does not improve.

"To all this must be added the appearance of the new variants of Covid, which have more transmissible characteristics, which cause many more infections, but fortunately are also less virulent, most cases are mild or asymptomatic."

Mr Rojas said that face masks could return in the near future if the epidemiological situation worsens, adding that if things continue as they are “we will have to act accordingly”.

Cabin Crew Strikes

The news comes as cabin crew staff from Ryanair and Easyjet announced that they would be staging a series of walkouts throughout July, one of the busiest months.

Ryanair crew will be striking for 12 days throughout July with dates currently set at 12 to 15 July, 18 to 21 July and 25 to 28 July.

Easyjet staff will also take action during July with their dates planned for 15, 16, 17, 29, 30 and 31 July.

Brits can now use eGates at Spanish airports

On a positive note, the Spanish Tourist Board recently announced that British holidaymakers would be able to enter Spain using the Automated Border Control eGates which speeds up the process.

Since Brexit, British travellers have been unable to use the eGates and Spain’s airports which has led to long queues with some holidaymakers queuing for up to three hours.

Source

https://www.huffingtonpost.es/entry/darias-elemento-definitorio-mascarilla-en-interiores_es_62c55bc6e4b0aa392d386650
https://www.expansion.com/sociedad/2022/07/06/62c56a92468aeb96728b4651.html?intcmp=NOT002
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/read-this/spain-could-bring-back-covid-face-mask-rules-before-summer-holidays-3756334