UK taken to task
Decision ‘does not appear to be justified by objective data’
THE UK government sent out a press statement to explain its decision to remove Spain from the ‘travel corridors exemption list’, referring to a ‘significant change over the last week in both the level and pace of change in confirmed cases’ of coronavirus in Spain.
However, president of the Valencia region Ximo Puig pointed out to the British authorities that ‘the Valencia region, particularly Alicante province, has lower levels of coronavirus than Great Britain’.
Therefore the decision ‘does not appear to be justified by objective data’, he added.
However, the UK government has stated that ‘people returning to the UK from Spain (including islands) will need to self-isolate for two weeks’.
“People already in Spain can stay for the remainder of their holiday and will have to self-isolate upon return,” noted their press release.
It adds: “The government is urging employers to be understanding of those returning from Spain who now will need to self-isolate.”
Sr Puig has asked for the British government to ‘exempt the Valencia region, and the Costa Blanca in particular’, from their recommendation on not travelling to Spain and the need to spend 14 days in quarantine.
Repercussions for tourist industry
Some Costa Blanca businesses are already suffering the repercussions of the UK government decision.
It was only last Saturday that the popular family hotel Rio Park in Benidorm, part of the Med Playa group, re-opened after lockdown.
But they were forced to close their doors again this week, issuing the following statement: “We are extremely sorry to advise that, as a result of the changes to the UK Foreign Office advice the decision has been taken to close the Hotel Rio Park from Thursday, July 30.
“Unfortunately the impact this decision has had on our business makes it unviable to maintain the Rio Park open at this time.
“We are sorry for the impact this may have to our guests’ holidays and hope to be back open again soon.”
With Jet2 and Tui both suspending holidays to the area many businesses have had to quickly rethink whether it is viable to reopen.
The four-star adult-only Hotel Don Pancho in Benidorm is another casualty.
They stated: “We are very sorry to inform you that we have finally been forced to postpone the opening date we had planned for July 31.
“The extraordinary situation that has taken place this weekend on an international level with the new restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom, as well as the uncertainty we are suffering in the country as a result of the evolution of contagion, all of which is last minute and beyond our control, have forced us to make this very difficult decision.
“The whole team of the hotel had been working tirelessly for weeks so that the hotel could open its doors this Friday. The news has been devastating for us all.
“From the management team we want to express our most sincere apologies.”
Their new estimated opening date is September 1.
Many smaller cafes and bars solely rely on British holidaymakers and the Yorkshire Pride group are another casualty. Last weekend they were looking forward to reopening today (Friday) but that has now changed.
“It’s with a heavy heart to say unfortunately we will not be opening this Friday due to the situation,” they stated.
“We will advertise when we will be opening. I am sorry for the inconvenience”.
Last year the British sector made up 41% of the tourism market in Benidorm – a share that is unlikely to be made up from other markets.