Germany now declares all of Spain as a Covid ‘high incidence area’

The move by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) means that anyone who hasn’t been fully vaccinated or has not recovered from Coronavirus within the last six months will have to quarantine for 10 days when returning to Germany from Spain. The quarantine period can be shortened after five days with a negative test.

The new measures will particularly impact younger tourists, many of whom have not yet been fully vaccinated. 

Spain’s tourism industry had been hoping for a stronger recovery this summer because of vaccination rates across Europe – but there are now fears that increased restrictions will drive German visitors away.

On 9 July Germany had already listed the whole of Spain as a risk area, including the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands. Traditionally, the Balearic Islands are a very popular destination for German tourists. The whole country has now been moved to a high incidence risk area.

On 8 July, a French minister also offered ‘cautionary advice’ to the citizens of France before they go on vacation this summer. ‘If you’re not already booked, avoid Spain and Portugal,’ he said.

The Covid-19 incidence rate continues to rise in Spain – and is currently at 659 according to the central Health Ministry’s figures released on 22 July. 

Click here for full details (in English) on travel restrictions for Germany.