(TAN): Spain will allow people from certain countries outside of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area to enter the country for nonessential purposes beginning June 30.
Tourists from countries where COVID-19 infection rates are under control will be able to fly to Spain.
“Japan and South Korea are not the same as Brazil,” a spokesperson from the Spanish administration was quoted by The Local es as saying.
[ALSO READ: What you need to know about post-COVID air travel]
The European nation reopened its borders to the EU and Schengen Area citizens earlier this week, in line with EU’s recommendation for member states to gradually reopen from June 15. Holidaymakers from the United Kingdom can also enter Spain, without the previous requirement for new arrivals to quarantine themselves for a fortnight.
Spain welcomed 100 flights from the EU and Schengen countries on the first day of opening its borders. Of the total flights, 40 alone reportedly arrived at the Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport in Spain’s capital Madrid, 18 of which were international flights.
However, Spain will not reopen its land borders with Portugal until next month. The country will also reopen its borders to Morocco from July 1, although the latter might not return the gesture, a report said.
As the country starts opening up for visitors, Spain’s transport minister José Luis Ábalos and health minister Salvador Illa reportedly said the authorities have formulated a protocol to prevent further spread of the virus which will be followed at all airports.
“The virus can return and it can hit us again in a second wave, and we have to do whatever we can to avoid that at all costs,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was quoted by CBS News as saying.
Spain has so far reported over 247,000 cases including 28,327 deaths, as per data from Johns Hopkins University. Spain’s tourism sector, which reportedly accounts for 12% of its economy, was battered by the pandemic after the European nation turned out to be one of the worst hit in Europe. The Spanish government has reportedly allotted over EUR 4.2 billion (USD 4.73 billion approximately) to help revive the industry.
Related posts:
Europe’s tourism sector losing EUR 1 billion a month because of coronavirus
Italy reopens borders to tourists from within Europe, looks to rescue tourism sector crippled by COVID-19
European Commission advises member states to restart visa application procedures abroad
Around 11,000 German tourists first visitors on Spain’s Balearic Islands post COVID-19 lockdown
