The situation has been evolving with the announcement that the United Kingdom is to re-impose a quarantine/self-isolation requirement on arrivals from Spain.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice has changed as of 27th July
From 27 July, the FCO advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country.
This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of COVID-19 in several regions, but particularly in Aragon, Navarra and Catalonia (which include the cities of Zaragoza, Pamplona and Barcelona).
The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time. Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus.
If you are returning from Spain you will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK, but the FCO is not advising you to cut short your visit. You should contact your tour operator or airline if you have any questions about your return journey.
Let’s have a look at how the industry is responding
TUI
TUI Boeing 757-200 Birmingham Airport
It’s been widely reported that TUI would not fly passenger from the United Kingdom to Spain from Sunday. This has now been modified with the following statement provided by the company to the BBC
“Due to travel advice change against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, TUI UK have taken the decision to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including Sunday 9 August.”
“Holidaymakers wishing to travel to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands will be able to travel as planned from Monday 27th July.
“Customers due to travel to all areas of Spain between 27th July and Sunday 9th August will be able to cancel or amend holidays and will be able to receive a full refund or the option to rebook their holiday with a booking incentive.
“Customers with holidays from 10th August will be updated on Friday 31st July.”
EasyJet
EasyJet Airbus A319 climbing out of Manchester Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
EasyJet is continuing its current programme of flights between the UK and its Spanish destinations,however its holidays operations to Spain have been suspended.
Jet2
Jet2 Boeing 737-800 arriving into Birmingham Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Jet2 has suspended operations and holidays to Spain.
British Airways
British Airways Airbus A320 at London Heathrow Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The airline offers the following comment
The UK Government has changed its advice to people travelling to and from Spain. You can find further information on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
If you no longer wish to travel to Spain from the UK, or travel from Spain to the UK, you can claim a voucher for future travel here.
If you are returning from Spain and wish to make a change to you booking, please contact us.
Ryanair
Ryanair Boeing 737-800 arriving into Dublin – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Ryanair is continuing to offer flights to Spain, with its network under constant review.
An evolving picture
The situation has not been helped with the UK Government receiving the information on the growth of COVID-19 cases Friday and acting on it on Saturday evening.
Whilst the government makes no apologies for acting on the information, it does put travellers in a hard spot who are considering travel to Spain.
It also warns that short notice changes like this could be imposed if there is a rise in COVID-19 cases in a country.
For those out in Spain – like it or not – you will need to quarantine when you return to the United Kingdom. That will have an impact for those returning to the UK and are required to work, who will now have to isolate on arrival and cannot work from home.
And that includes any UK Transport Secretary, who may have travelled out to Spain on Saturday…
For now, the situation is evolving, one that I’ll be keeping on top of over the next few days.
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