Reuters, London
The British government plans to warn holidaymakers against visiting popular tourist destinations such as Spain because of concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic, the Times reported on Monday.
Such a step could trigger an exodus of about a million British tourists’ already abroad, cause further damage to the travel sector and deal a new blow to southern Europe’s summer tourist season. The Times did not specify what particular concerns Britain had about Spain. Madrid has been hit by the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, but its rolling seven-day infection rate dropped throughout last week.
Britain has double vaccinated a higher proportion of its population against Covid-19 than most other countries, but the government has prevented travel to many countries by imposing rules that the travel industry says is hobbling the economy.
A spokesperson for Britain’s transport ministry declined to comment on The Times report, published on the day when rules were eased for double-vaccinated travellers from the United States and most of Europe.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s travel rules have angered some of Britain’s European allies, frustrated millions of sun-seeking Britons and brought warnings from airports, airlines and tour companies.
