Yesterday evening, the government re-imposed two's week of self quarantine on those returning from Spain, due to a succession of localised surges in coronavirus cases, mostly in Catalonia and Aragon. It's not a surprise because the possibility was leaked when concern increased. The Balearics and the Canaries, with lower infection rates and outbreaks well controlled, are included in this ban, and it has caused chaos for holidaymakers, many flight cancellations by TUI, not least due to such short notice. Over a third of Spain's holiday economy depends on British tourism. The consequences for travel and tourism will be catastrophic.
Island tourism is well placed to lead the economic recovery as it's that much safer offshore than in the conurbations of the Peninsula. There's a perverse logic to the position taken by the government. The quarantine kills flight demand, leading to cancellations. That will include direct flights to the islands. Anyone wanting to return to Britain would then be obliged to take a two stage flight via Barcelona or Madrid, both areas of increased risk at the moment, and quarantine on arrival. No government spokesperson has pointed this out, that I've heard. For me, a case of déjà vu
If excluded from the imposition of quarantine, island direct flights for holidaymakers could continue with negligible additional risk. Another instance of the damaging impact of thoughtlessness in government decision making, with far reaching consequences. Britain is leaving the EU, but leaving behind a trail of ill-will in member states is not a recipe for fruitful future relations.
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