Spain expects to be added to the green list at the next government review of traffic light categories, the Spanish tourism minister has said.
Fernando Valdes told Sky News that Spain was not appropriate for the amber list.
“Spain is doing a great effort not only in terms of vaccination, we have at least one third of our whole population with at least one dose… but also, we have some holiday destinations which are very loved by British tourists such as the Balearic islands, Costa Blanca or Malaga, with notification rates which are pretty low and by the same notification range of the UK,” he said.
“So I have to suspect that on the next review that the UK government can provide… Spain is going to change on its notification.
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“We are having conversations with the UK government…we have close relations with your ambassador in Madrid.”
Spain reopened to British tourists on Monday, with no testing requirements for arrivals.
It remains on the UK’s amber list, with those returning to the UK required to quarantine for 10 days at home.
The UK government said people should not travel to amber list countries for holidays, but it is only guidance and not law.
The traffic light list is set to see changes on June 7.
The front page of The Express reported that Brits flocked back to Spain after Spanish restrictions eased.
“Thousands jetted off as flights resumed yesterday,” it said.
The Sun estimated that up to 100,000 Brits are expected to head to Spain this week, despite the country still being on the amber list.
“Eager holidaymakers have descended with tourists already heading to UK airports after Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez announced it would allow Brits to return without proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test,” said the Sun.
“There are a number of flights heading to Spain with easyJet, Ryanair and TUI this morning, heading to destinations including Lanzarote, Ibiza and Majorca.”
However, most Brits travelling to the Canary Islands still have to present a negative Covid-19 test when they arrive at their accommodation because the region is currently has different entry requirements from the rest of Spain.
Those staying at tourist accommodation, such as a hotel or villa booked via a tour operator, need to show evidence of negative test taken within 72 hours of departure from the UK.
Visitors in private accommodation, such as their own villa or with a friend or relative, will not need to show a test.
The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Spain, including the Balearics.
• Derbyshire Live reported that 31 people were turned away from a flight at East Midlands Airport on Friday morning (May 21) for not carrying the right documents before travel.
They were told they could not go on their Ryanair flight to Malaga as they had no proof of Spanish residency which was required by the Spanish government at that time.
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