- Title: Vaccinated and quarantine free: UK holidaymakers hit the Costa del Sol
- Date: 19th July 2021
- Summary: MALAGA, SPAIN (JULY 19, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ENGLISH TOURISTS ARRIVING AT MALAGA'S AIRPORT TOURIST PULLING LUGGAGE TOURISTS ARRIVING AT MALAGA'S AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM LIVERPOOL, MARY, SAYING: "Yes, I know, that is fine. Because since August 15th the isolation all changed and we don't have to isolate for 10 day now as long as we do the day two test. It has actually been easier than I thought it was going to be." TOURIST PUSHING TROLLEY (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM ENGLAND, TILLY, SAYING: "A bit apprehensive, we didn't know what to expect with paperwork, QR codes and stuff but all was very smooth, wasn't it?" TOURISTS ARRIVING AT MALAGA'S AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM ENGLAND, LEE, ON FREEDOM DAY: "We don't know, we weren't there for it. It starts today and we are here." TOURIST FROM ENGLAND, TILLY, SAYING: "I think it is good, people have to get on with their lives and make their own decisions, specially if you have been vaccinated you should be allowed to make your own decisions on how you live your life now. With precaution but you know, sensible." TOURIST FROM ENGLAND, LEE, ON FREEDOM DAY: "It's time to let this thing run its course and let people get on with their lives. If you have been double jabbed get on with your life." GROUP OF TOURISTS FROM FLIGHT FROM ENGLAND WEARING T-SHIRTS WITH THE WORDS "IDIOTS ABROAD" WRITTEN ON THEM ARRIVING AT MALAGA'S AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM LIVERPOOL, REECE, ON FREEDOM DAY: "They all want to travel and stuff and they feel restricted by the restrictions and stuff that were in place with the amber and stuff when it is really not worthy of it. It is still safe to do it. " ENGLISH TOURISTS ARRIVING AT MALAGA'S AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) 19-YEAR-OLD TOURIST FROM LONDON, JASON, SAYING: "When you are on your way back you can do a PCR test, you know, make sure you are all clear and they let you fly straight back to where you come from." VARIOUS OF ELECTRONIC BOARD SHOWING FLIGHTS FROM LIVERPOOL VARIOUS OF ENGLISH TOURISTS ARRIVING AT MALAGA'S AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2021 11:06
- Keywords: British tourists COVID-19 English Malaga amber list beach destination coronavirus holidays quarentine vaccinated travellers vaccinates holidaymakers
- Location: MALAGA, SPAIN
- City: MALAGA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001EMIC6YV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Travellers from England arriving in the southern Spanish city of Malaga on Monday (July 19) were pleased they will not have to quarantine upon return if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Although Spain is in the coronavirus risk "amber list," people arriving in the Costa del Sol's main airport said they felt safe and that the process to get into the country was smooth despite the paperwork.
"We don't have to isolate for 10 day now as long as we do the day two test. It has actually been easier than I thought it was going to be," Mary, a tourist from Liverpool said.
"We didn't know what to expect with paperwork, QR codes and stuff but all was very smooth," Tilly said.
Under previous rules, those returning to Britain from its top destinations in amber list had to self-isolate for up to 10 days.
Britons returning from amber list destinations would still have to take a COVID-19 test before they arrive home and then a second test on or before day two. Children under the age of 18 will not have to self-isolate but will need to take tests.
Before the pandemic Spain was Britain's most popular travel destination.
Spain tourism has begun a tentative rebound after plummeting 80% last year and businesses in Costa del Sol are battling to help recovery an economy that relied on tourism for 12% of GDP before COVID.
English holidaymakers in Malaga also welcomed the lifting of resurrections at home dubbed "Freedom Day" .
From midnight, laws in England requiring masks to be worn in shops and other indoor settings lapsed, along with capacity limits in bars and restaurants, and rules limiting the number of people who can socialise together.
(Production: Guillermo Martinez, Mariano Valladolid, Silvio Castellanos, Jon Nazca) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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