Spain and Greece ‘could join new amber plus list after tightening restrictions’

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Palma de Mallorca
British tourists arriving in Malaga, Spain
REUTERS

There is growing speculation that fully vaccinated British holidaymakers returning from Spain and Greece may find themselves having to quarantine when they get home.

It comes as Covid cases continue to rise in both countries and as new rules mean France is exempt from the list of countries allowing double-jabbed people to skip isolation.

The last-minute decision was a result of concerns from the UK government over the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa.

It is now feared Spain and Greece will be added to the so-called ‘amber-plus list’ as cases soar in both countries, exacerbated by the spread of highly contagious Covid variants, according to the Metro.

Isolation would people returning from either country would have to stay at home for 10 days.

Both countries have recently moved to tighten Covid restrictions after experiencing an increase infections.

Night curfews have been reintroduced in more than 30 towns in the Mediterranean region of Valencia, including in the city of Valencia and popular coastal destination of Benicassim.

Authorities in Greece blamed soaring infection numbers on people not coming forward to be vaccinated.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all aligned with England in the new rules for double-jabbed travellers and the exemption for France.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Paul Hunter said it was “bizarre” to see France added to the amber plus list ahead of Spain and Greece,

He said: “I personally cannot see a real or valid public health reason for doing it. Even if the Beta reduces protection given by the vaccine, the jab still prevents severe cases and deaths.

“I think the government has taken a reasonable approach up to now. But if you go to France or Spain, you are more likely to be positive than the guy who checks your passport.’

“I can’t see any value of having France or any other country on the amber plus list solely on the prevalence of variants. In terms of controlling infectious variants, the horse is gone.”

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