Spain holidays were landed a blow last night as it was announced British holidaymakers would have to quarantine on their return from today. Jet2 is one of many airlines which operates flights to and from Spain. So how have they been affected by the news?
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued the announcement last night.
Its travel advice for Spain now states: “From July 26, the FCO advises against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.
“Only the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa) and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera) are exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.
“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).
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“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 (including from the Balearics and Canaries) on or after 26 July you will be required to quarantine 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.
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“Public Health England (PHE) are continuing to monitor the situation in the Balearic and Canary Islands closely.
“Travellers there should continue to check this advice regularly.”
Jet2 has accordingly updated their own travel advice for mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
The Jet2 website explains: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been some changes to entry requirements for arrivals into mainland Spain.
“Before you go away, you’ll need to:
– Complete an online form, which you can find here.
– Alternatively, download the SpTH app to your mobile device and complete the form.
– From August 1 2020, if you have a mobile device, it’ll be mandatory to download the SpTH app if you’re visiting Spain.
“And on your return from Spain to the UK, you’ll need to self-isolate for 14 days, in line with government guidance.”
A Jet2 spokeswoman told Express.co.uk: “Following the latest government advice regarding travel to the UK from Spain, we are advising customers to arrive for their flights as normal as we are continuing to operate our scheduled programme to and from Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
“We are still operating flights and holidays to four destinations in Mainland Spain (Costa de Almeria, Alicante, Malaga and Murcia), which are open and are located away from areas which have been impacted by increased cases of Covid-19. In light of the updated advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), we are in the process of reviewing options for customers due to travel to these four destinations.
“We are also continuing to operate flights and holidays to our destinations in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands as scheduled. Because the FCO travel advice to these destinations remains unchanged, our usual terms and conditions apply. As always, we advise customers to purchase appropriate travel insurance before travelling.
“This is a fast-moving situation, which we will continue to monitor very closely.”