COVID-19

A CONFIDENT Spanish prime minister said yesterday the country’s vaccination drive had reached “cruising speed” after a record 3.5 million doses were injected into arms last week. Pedro Sánchez believes a law requiring facemasks outside will soon vanish as the rollout gathers pace with almost 15 million people vaccinated in Spain. He said “we will soon drop the use of facemasks” while in the open air nowcampaign to vaccinate people […]

BRITAIN’S biggest budget airline EasyJet is switching planes to Germany to fly European holidaymakers as many of the UK’s favourite destinations remain on the amber list. Different coronavirus travel restrictions mean British tourists have to self-isolate on their return from holiday – but must also supply a negative Covid test before departure and take two PCR tests, costing around £100, during the 10-day quarantine. The amber list now includes Spain, […]

Targets hit in coronavirus response HEALTH authorities across Spain report more than 33 million Covid-19 vaccines are in arms – more than 44% of the entire population, some 21.4 million people, has received at least one shot. The end of the week is expected to bring another target hit; 15 million people will have been fully protected. Fernando Simón, the director of the Health Ministry’s Coordination Centre for Health Alerts, […]

HOLIDAY giant TUI has cancelled more holiday flights as the UK government pushes back ‘Freedom Day’ and increases uncertainty over travel abroad. The tour operator has already scrapped a number of getaways to favouritedestinations and has now put further trips on hold until next month. In a statement: “We want to offer our customers flexibility and choice this summer, so where borders are open and FCDO advice allows travel, we […]

Rise in ‘Delta’ variant means policy change HEALTH chiefs in Madrid are bringing forward a second vaccine dose for the 60 to 69 age group in a bid to control the rise of the ‘Delta’ strain first identified in India. The regional government said there was already transmission of the Covid-19 mutation – deputy healthcare chief Antonio Zapatero said 18 new cases had been detected in addition to four discovered […]

SPAIN is studying the possibility of offering jabs to residents as they travel to other parts of the country for holidays. With summer fast approaching, thousands of people will leave home for a break in another of the country’s 17 autonomous regions – however, travellers are concerned about ensuring they get their Covid-19 jabs. The health ministry said the Spain’s strategy was based on people being vaccinated where they “are […]

SPAIN has launched a €8 million advertising campaign to attract Germanholidaymakers as British visitors are held back by travel restrictions. The government is spending the cash on its ‘You Deserve Spain’ publicity promoting the country’s beaches, heritage sites, sport and inland beauty amongst a broad range of potential tourists – families, young people and seniors. Before the Covid-19 crisis, Spain was the second most popular destination in the world and […]

Pair drop out of squad on eve of competition A SECOND member of Spain’s national team has tested positive for coronavirus just days before the flagship 2020 UEFA European Football Championship gets underway. Centre back Diego Llorente – who plays for English Premier League’s Leeds United – and Sergio Busquets, the Barcelona midfielder, will not drop out of the squad. Llorente gave a positive test on Tuesday night; Busquets tested […]

Country meets 10m people immunisation target SPAIN’S vaccination rollout continues at pace with regional health authorities aiming to immunise younger population seen as key to spreading Covid-19 virus. Health authorities across the country – excluding Madrid – looking to give 40 to 49-year-olds coronavirus vaccinations. The 14-day cumulative number of infections stands at 115 per 100,000 people and health authorities rushing to immunise younger people; they are at lower risk […]