Spain, here we come – Scots given all-clear for the Costas
Government U-turn on quarantine for travellers
SCOTS have been given the green light to book holidays to Spain after quarantine restrictions were finally lifted.
Thousands of Scots can now make trips to Spain and islands such as the Canaries and Balearics.
Nicola Sturgeon initially kept the Spanish mainland and its islands off a list of ‘air bridges’ announced earlier this month because of concerns about its virus rates, meaning travellers would have to go into isolation for 14 days when they return.
But the Scottish Government yesterday announced a U-turn following a backlash from airports, travel operators and opponents.
Spain is Scotland’s most popular overseas holiday destination and accounted for 1.1million trips in 2018.
The decision is also a boost for the Scotland’s ailing tourism sector, as 205,000 Spanish holidaymakers come here every year.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: ‘The decisions the Scottish Government have had to take are ones we do not envy, but we are glad to see the unworkable blanket quarantine policy effectively being removed for one that is more targeted based on quantified risk.
‘We still have to unfortunately accept that the normally busy summer season is effectively gone and that will directly impact on jobs in the sector. We have tried to protect as many jobs as we can and we continue to work with unions on this, but this pandemic has decimated the aviation industry and it will continue to have a bearing on us for months.’
Ministers said they reached the decision to lift quarantine restrictions for those returning from Spain from later this week following a ‘thorough review of infection prevalence rates’.
They announced the decision as fears grew of a second wave of the virus in Catalonia, with Barcelona increasing restrictions following a spike in cases.
But the Scottish Government said exemptions from selfisolation requirements are kept under review and could return if there is a rise in cases.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ‘Having carefully considered the potential public health impact of changing the country exemptions for quarantine, we are able to lift that requirement for those travelling from Spain. We are continuously keeping other countries under review and where there is clear evidence that it is safe to do so, we will add further countries.’
Mike Tibbert, vice-president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, said: ‘The move to add mainland Spain and its islands to the safe list is very welcome. This means that Scots can still take advantage of a summer holiday after a long period in lockdown and before Scottish children return to school in mid-August.
‘However, the short-term price of the delay in adding Spain to the list has been the cancellation of a plethora of flights between Scottish airports and Spain and it has surely been a major factor in TUI’s decision to cease all of its flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh during summer 2020.
‘This move is a first step to helping the travel sector, but the whole industry needs a far larger support package than just the inclusion of Spain on this list. Recovery will be complex and protracted.’
A spokesman for easyJet said: ‘We welcome that the Scottish Government has added Spain to the list of countries that are exempt from the quarantine requirements.
‘This is an important part of the reopening of aviation, to support the wider economic recovery.’
‘Industry needs support package’