These are the quarantine rules for tourists visiting Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal
It’s uncertain as to whether British tourists will be able to have a summer holiday this year amid coronavirus travel restrictions.
This week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he “absolutely wouldn’t rule it out” on the prospect of getting some foreign travel back up and running.
At present, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s messaging remains the same and advises against all but essential international travel. And from June 8, people coming into the UK will have to abide by a new 14-day quarantine policy.
However, some European countries have begun to reveal their plans on letting tourists back in and whether they’ll be subject to quarantine, while budget airline Ryanair has announced its plan to restart 40 percent of its normal flight schedule from July.
Greece is set to reopen to visitors from certain countries in a matter of weeks, however the UK is currently banned due to the high infection rate of the virus.
Brits are also banned from visiting Cyprus after transport minister, Yiannis Karousos, announced that only direct flights from 19 countries will be allowed into the country.
Spain on the other hand has said they want to open up to tourists from July 1 with no quarantine period, but they are yet to specify whether this will include the UK.
With the possibility of heading away at some point in 2020, we’ve taken a look at the quarantine restrictions in place in the popular destinations of Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal:
Spain
Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya tweeted on Monday following a cabinet meeting that from July, the country will gradually lift international tourism and lift the quarantine, which was followed by an optimistic message of ‘get ready’ and a bikini emoji.
She later sent a second tweet, which was retweeted by Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto, saying: “The hardest part is behind us. In July we will: Gradually open [Spain flag emoji] international tourists, lift quarantine measures, ensure the highest health and safety standards.”
“Spain is waiting for you!” she added.
But which countries this applies to hasn’t been specified, so the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice says: “From 15 May, all new international arrivals entering Spain, including Spanish nationals and residents, will be required to self-isolate in their residence or hotel for a period of 14 days.”
Greece
In Greece, everyone arriving from abroad will be tested for coronavirus, according to the FCO.
It continues: “You will be required to stay in Government-provided accommodation for the first 24 hours, until test results are available.
“If your test is negative, you will be asked to provide details of your accommodation, and will need to self-isolate there for the next 14 days.
“If your result is positive, you may be required to remain in Government-provided accommodation for a further 14 days. In both cases, self-isolation is mandatory, and the authorities will enforce it by prosecution and fines.”
Italy
Similarly to the UK, the Italian authorities have advised against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy, and that “tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to return to the place where they live.”
Travel to the Mediterranean country is possible only if absolutely necessary, and all travellers must:
- self-isolate for 14 days
- carry a form self-certifying their reason for travel to Italy (the ‘Self-Declaration Form for Travel’) stating the purpose of their trip to Italy
- report promptly to local health authorities
However, these measures are said to only remain in effect until June 2. So, from June 3, tourists won’t have to self-isolate, “providing that for the 14 days prior to their arrival in Italy, they were physically located in their country of departure.”
France
In order to travel to France from the UK, you need to complete an international travel certificate.
This certifies that your journey is ‘essential’ and confirms that you haven’t been suffering from coronavirus symptoms.
But a quarantine isn’t compulsory as the FCO says: “The UK has announced that it will introduce self-isolation measures for arrivals at the border from the 8 June; following the introduction of these measures, France will then also ask arrivals from the UK to observe a voluntary 14 day self-quarantine.”
But if you’re showing signs of coronavirus, this quarantine is manatory.
Portugal
If travelling by air to mainland Portugal, which most Brits would, then you’ll be subject to health screening on arrival.
Your temperature will be checked and if it is high or you show signs of being unwell, you will be referred to the health authorities.
There is no mention of quarantine.
If heading to Madeira however, then the FCO says as well as a health screening, you will be subject to 14-days’ mandatory quarantine.
FCO continues: “If you are travelling to the Azores, you will be asked to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. If you do not have this evidence, you will be asked to take a test or agree to voluntary quarantine. If you cannot fulfil the entry requirements, you will not be allowed entry and you will be returned to your country of origin.”
It adds that cruise ships can berth at ports on mainland Portugal, but passengers can only disembark if they are Portuguese nationals or residents.