Germany maintains travel warning against Spain

The German government on Wednesday agreed to lift its coronavirus-related travel warnings against European Union states, with the exceptions of Spain and Norway.

This decision will be effective on June 15, said Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

The warnings are being eased for countries that do not maintain “their own entry bans or large-scale lockdowns” – which is still the case in Spain.

“Spain and Norway will presumably allow tourist entry somewhat later. Once they make that decision, we will apply it [lifting the warning] immediately,” said Maas.

Germany is one of the main sources of tourism to Spain

The recommendation against travel to Spain will end when the country is no longer under a state of alarm or imposing quarantines on international travelers. A few specific regions with very low Covid-19 incidence could reopen sooner, however.

Maas noted that Spanish Congress was on Wednesday debating a new extension to the state of alarm that was first introduced in mid-March to fight the spread of the coronavirus. The extension was approved on Wednesday evening, pushing the emergency measures to June 21.

Germany is planning to replace its travel warnings with softer, country-specific guidelines that will be modified on the basis of how the pandemic evolves.

The announcement comes at a time when Spain is accelerating talks to reopen safe “travel corridors” between Germany and Spanish island destinations in the Balearics and the Canaries, where the impact of Covid-19 has been low.

Germany is one of the main sources of tourism to Spain, and the Spanish tourism industry is keen to reactivate the sector as soon as possible in a bid to save the summer season following three devastating months.

English version by Susana Urra.