Spain and Portugal have imposed new restrictions on British visitors, who on arrival will now have to provide proof of vaccination or else quarantine for 14 days.
Portugal said the new rules came into effect today (Monday) and will last until at least 11 July.
As Portugal is on Britain’s amber list, all visitors will also have to self-isolate for up to ten days when they return home.
Spain today also said that all visitors from the UK to the Balearic Islands including Mallorca, Ibiza will soon be required either to show a negative result in a PCR Covid-19 test or to provide proof of two vaccination jabs.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “What we are going to do is apply to British tourists who go to the Balearic islands the same requirements we make of other European citizens,” Mr Sanchez told Cadena SER radio.
“They will need a full dose of vaccine or a negative PCR,” he added
The new rules will come into force within 72 hours, Mr Sanchez said, though he did not say from when.
European leaders have become increasingly worried about the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the UK, which has been affecting the young and least vaccinated section of the UK’s population.
Europe’s vaccination programme is running well behind the UK and several leaders are worried about the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant might spark a new wave of infections.
German chancellor Angela Merkel has called for all British visitors to the EU to be banned whether they are vaccinated or not, while French PM Emmanuel Macron wants a two-week quarantine period to be imposed.
Spain and Portugal are reported to be reluctant to impose any further restrictions.
New Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to address MPs today over the timeline of the easing of the UK’s Covid-19 restrictions in his first speech since taking over after Matt Hancock’s resignation at the weekend.
Shares in airline and travels firms took another bashing on the back of the proposed travel tightening.
British Airways owner IAG (LON:IAG) fell 4.8% to 178.5p, easyJet (LON;EZK) dropped 3.3% to 924p and Ryanair PLC (LON;RYA) shed 2.8% to €15.93.