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UK adds Canary Islands to safe travel list

Sunset over Matagorda, Lanzarote. (Photo courtesy of Turismo Lanzarote)

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The UK has removed the Canary Islands in Spain from a list of areas where travellers would need to self-isolate on returning to the UK. The new measure will come into effect from 4am on Sunday 25 October.

The Canary Islands are popular for travellers seeking winter sun, being one of the few parts of Europe warm enough for beach holidays during that time.

The rest of Spain, including the Balearic islands, remains exempt from the safe travel list amid a surge in infections.

The UK Government’s Foreign Office travel advice now states that: ‘The Canary Islands are now exempt from FCDO advice against all non-essential international travel. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.’

‘The FCDO continues to advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic Islands, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country. The Canary Islands are exempt from the FCDO’s advice against all non-essential international travel. If you are returning from Spain, except the Canary Islands, you will need to self-isolate on your return to the UK.’

Spain received 75% fewer international tourists in July compared to 2019, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya had been pushing for safe travel corridors to salvage the winter tourist season, particularly in the Canary Islands. On 13 September, she said that that she was negotiating with the UK, Germany and Scandinavian countries to open up travel corridors to the islands, and pushing for visitors to be exempt from quarantine on their return home.

Click here for all previous reports on: Coronavirus in Spain

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