After a relatively calm few weeks since the last travel traffic review by the British government which kept Spain on amber until the end of the month, British holidaymakers coming to Spain, or already in the Balearics on extended holidays, are now starting to get worried about what could happen when the next review is carried out on August 25 with any changes coming into force on August 29.
The last decision sparked a surge in last minute bookings to the Balearics but the Mallorcan Hotel Federation, for example, warned that while August, for the most part, was looking encouraging, there were already signs of bookings starting to tail of towards the end of the month.
And that, it appears, is because British holiday makers are not convinced that Spain will remain on amber.
That said, some tour operators and travel agents have reported strong bookings for the end of August and September, but as millions of British holiday makers have witnessed, the British government is capable of changing its mind over night, very few people have forgotten what happened to Portugal.
The British Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, made a “promise” at the last review that no knee-jerk changes will be made until the next review, but that has not stopped Britons making contingency plans and booking earlier flights in case they need to return before August 28 should the traffic lights change.
The main reason for the sudden panic is that fears are mounting that Spain could be put on the Government’s red list at the end of the month.
Figures released last week showed more than one in 35 of all travellers arriving in Britain from Spain test positive for Covid-19, leading to concern it is the holiday hot spot most likely to be hit with curbs when the government next updates travel rules.
If amber-list Spain was moved to the red list it will mean thousands of Britons on holiday there could be forced to quarantine in a hotel on their return for 10 days at a cost of £2,250, some left with no choice if they want to get back before the school term starts - hence why earlier return flights are being booked to beat the traffic light.
But, in the worst case scenario, the issue of air corridors will be back on the table because, when it comes to the Balearics, case number are falling, the vaccination programme is functioning extremely well and there is talk of the region being on the verge of emerging from the pandemic with the positively rate dropping to near the five percent benchmark.
11 comments
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We have looked at the rules. We are both double vaccinated and do not need a test before I come into palma,however to get home I need two tests. As i understand it one 2 days before i leave palma and one when i get home. If I test positive in Palma I have to be put into an isolation hotel in Majorca. I have just heard of a nightmare someone has had with this. There is very little written about this. What is the real truth. Is it a major problem . It has put us off travelling to Majorca a place we love because i cannot afford to be isolated away from home. So no trip this year.
Are vaccinated people included in the test? Or are they assumed to be negative? If they are included then surely the results should be split into two groups? An efficacy study if you will.
If you're nervous, why go away. Seems a bit stupid to me. Is the UK such a terrible place for a holixay ?
Whoever’s in charge in the traffic light system has been inept and chaotic so far. It would be so typical for them to wait until the crowds have had their holiday then slap us with the red list. Look what they did to France. Idiots.
If there is nervousness, it is whipped up by the media who love any opportunity to create a drama, even if it is unfounded and damages the livelihoods of all those in the travel and tourism industries. Of course, they will run a story the next day how the same people are suffering due to the 'confusion' and 'chaos' caused by the gov's traffic light system. The reality is that it is the British media that create the nervousness, confusion and chaos!
This is naughty headline-grabbing. The statistics are based on data that is 4-7 weeks old and was released 3 weeks ago, why highlight it now? Wait for tomorrow's new data release of the DHSC statistics where the new data released will be 1-4 weeks old and then we can guess where Spain will end up on the traffic light list. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nhs-test-and-trace-statistics-england-weekly-reports#latest-report) Look for table 21, then look for Spain - positivity rate. If you catch it quick at i am sure it will make for a good article! Cheers - love your news site.
It's also a fact that the UK does not have enough hotel rooms to accommodate the numbers that would be forced into quarantine.
Who are the British holiday makers please Humphrey that are worried and what research have you carried out for this article? As per John's comments, vaccination is up / rates are down. It's common sense that the most % of British holiday makers are returning from Spain / Balearics with more positive cases than any other country simply because it's the most popular holiday destination!! I'm intrigued to find out who these holiday makers are and if you're just writing this report as a reaction to recent British newspapers releases ? Please provide us some facts ....
We would have booked a couple of holidays in Majorca if it wasn't for the UK insisting of testing on our return. I am sure many people feel like us. Two vaccinations and it is still not enough???
Anyone taking an overseas holiday in a pandemic got to be barmy. Glad we are like most people staying in the UK this year and really enjoying it.