Britons welcome as Spain opens up to tourists

Scores of flights landed in Spain on Sunday as British tourists were allowed to enter the country without having to quarantine, but doubts remain over how many will travel as they will be subject to 14 days of isolation upon their return.

As Spain ended its lockdown, the country’s borders opened up to Britain and other European Union countries except Portugal in an effort to boost the country’s tourism industry, which accounts for 12 per cent of GDP.

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About 100 flights arrived in Spain, with tourists gracing arrivals halls for the first time since the Spanish government closed its borders on 14 March.

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Holidaymakers arriving at airports must have their temperatures taken, submit information about where they have come from and provide details about their whereabouts in Spain in case they have to be traced.

Stickers on the floor of at arrival lounges have been placed to ensure passengers comply with social distancing measures.

Arancha González Laya, the Spanish foreign minister, said on Saturday that British tourists would not have to submit to a quarantine, quashing suggestions last week that Spain was considering a reciprocal measure with the UK. Britain is due to review its quarantine rule on 29 June, three weeks after it was introduced.

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