Latest: Coronavirus in Spain figures (11 Jan)
Spain is to reinforce checks for proof of negative PCR tests on all travellers arriving at airports and ports, following other countries announcing the suspension of flights from the UK over fears of a new strain of Coronavirus (Covid-19) on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium all announced a halt on flights arriving from the UK. Belgium also suspended Eurostar train arrivals. Germany, France and Ireland then also joined the growing list of EU countries imposing travel restrictions on the UK after a spike in cases of a new, more contagious variant of Covid-19. France has also put a halt on all freight travel to and from the UK for 48 hours. Austria, Romania and Bulgaria have since also imposed restrictions on travel with the UK – with Sweden saying that it was also preparing a decision to be announced on Monday.
It follows the announcement on Saturday from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that a new strain of Covid-19 circulating in London and the south east of England was up to 70% more transmissible, and that the areas were to be placed in a new Tier 4 level of restrictions. The new strain has also been identified in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, Arancha González Laya, has asked ‘the EU institutions’ for an urgent coordinated response to the issue, and will otherwise act to ‘defend the interests and rights of Spanish citizens’. Meanwhile, Spain has announced that it will be reinforcing the checks on PCR test results on all travellers arriving at airports and ports. The situation will be reviewed again during Monday morning. A suspension on flight arrivals from the UK, following the measures taken by other EU states, has not been ruled out.
Also read: Restrictions for Christmas and New Year period in Spain.
📍Ante la situación comunicada por las autoridades británicas y como medida inmediata, España reforzará en aeropuertos y puertos el control de verificación de pruebas PCR a las personas que lleguen del Reino Unido. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/bRCrxJjN2v
— La Moncloa (@desdelamoncloa) December 20, 2020
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