After the waning of the Corona crisis, German tourists are to be the first foreign tourists to be allowed to return to Spain from Monday. At first only 6000 of them and only to Mallorca and other Balearic Islands, Spanish media reported, citing the authorities.
Germany was chosen because the epidemiological situation there was very good and similar to that in the Balearic Islands, it was said. There should not be a two-week quarantine, as is currently mandatory for all foreign visitors to Spain, in the Balearic Islands. According to this information, individual tourism is initially not planned.
6000 German allowed to beautiful from 15. June on the Balearic Islands – Test for tourist rush
The whole of Spain, which had been hit particularly hard by the Corona crisis, does not want to open up to foreign tourists until two weeks later. The pilot project in the Balearic Islands is said to serve to test the emergency – the expected rush of tourists after the borders open on July 1.
One wants to check whether the security measures work among other things at the airports and in the hotels, it said. The regional president wants to announce tourist Francina Armengol on Tuesday, it said.
Mallorca, Germany's favorite island, is expected to receive 4,000 tourists in the second half of June. A thousand visitors are to come to Menorca and the Pityuses (Ibiza and Formentera). Regional President Francina Armengol and Balearic Minister of Tourism Iago Negueruela would announce further details of the agreement between Palma and Madrid on Tuesday.
The Canary Islands are also reportedly negotiating a similar pilot project with Madrid. In these talks, no decision had yet been made on Monday because the Canaries had made "higher security requirements", including corona virus tests for all visitors, "El País" reported.
Spain: Border opening on July 1st
"From July, the reception of foreign tourists will resume under secure conditions," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a speech to the nation on Saturday. "We will guarantee that the tourists will not take any risks and that they will not pose any risks to us." Holiday strongholds such as the Balearic Islands and the Canaries still hope to receive a few foreign visitors before July 1st.
Removal of the two-week quarantine requirement
To mark the occasion, Spain wants to lift the quarantine obligation for foreign nationals by July 1st. The two-week quarantine after entry has existed since May 15 for those who get into the country at all. A primary residence in Spain is currently required for this. Urgent business trips are also considered a reason for entry.
Foreign Minister Maas: Travel warning for Spain remains for the time being
After three months, on June 15, the global travel warning for the major part of Europe due to the corona pandemic will be lifted again – for Spain, the travel warning should be maintained for the time being due to the fact that entry barriers still exist. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas hopes that at least travel to Spain – the number one holiday destination for Germans – can start again in June. Maas issued the worldwide travel warning on March 17th.
Read all current developments in the live ticker on the Corona crisis
Lufthansa has been offering flights to Mallorca from the beginning of June
Lufthansa will be flying from 26.05. the airport of Palma de Mallorca again. Flights to mainland Spain are also planned. The German airline plans to expand its route network to include Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia and the capital city of Madrid from the end of May / beginning of June.
The travel provider TUI has announced that it will bring vacationers to Mallorca again from the end of June. Spanish ports are still closed to cruise ships indefinitely.
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Mask requirement in all public places – domestic Spanish traffic greatly reduced
Since May 21, Spain has had a general mask requirement in all public places where a 2-meter distance cannot be maintained.
The range of public transport in domestic traffic is currently still greatly reduced. The Spanish authorities advise using public transport as little as possible.
On its website, the Federal Foreign Office warns that holidaymakers in Spain must expect severe restrictions in terms of medical care outside of emergencies. Spanish health care facilities continue to be heavily used by COVID-19.
Return to Germany: Observe the rules for quarantine
Holidaymakers should familiarize themselves with the current regulations on re-entering Germany on the Federal Foreign Office's website before they travel. At present, only a 14-day quarantine is recommended for people entering Germany from an EU country with a high infection rate.
Corona virus in Spain
In addition to Italy, Spain was considered the corona focus of Europe. As a measure, the Spanish government introduced one of the strictest curfews worldwide. The country can slowly breathe again: The number of new infections has recently decreased (as of May 26).
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