Spain to reopen to tourists in July

There will be a tourist season this summer. I invite establishments, bars, restaurants and all tourist destinations in the country to resume their activity. Pedro Sánchez’s speech on Saturday took a more optimistic turn than the previous ones. During his weekly report onCovid-19 outbreak (28,748 deaths in Spain), the Prime Minister announced the reopening of the borders in July to foreign tourists. He invited them to plan their vacation now. Spain is waiting for you .

Reassure companies

This speech was intended to reassure businesses in the sector, tourism representing 12% of GDP and 13% of direct jobs. They feared falling behind Italian, Greek or Portuguese competition. But many questions remain unanswered. Pedro Sánchez was evasive on the date ( from July ) and how tourists arrive. Logically, the fortnight currently imposed on travelers should then end.

The government is talking to both the EU and the regions to detail the measures over the coming days. The Institute for Tourism Quality (ICTE) has already developed a protocol, submitted to the Ministry of Health. It recommends that municipalities monitor beach attendance, report locations there, regularly disinfect sun loungers and parasols, if they are authorized. Some coastal regions have already advanced. As of this Monday, in Andalusia (south), it is possible to sunbathe for four hours, at least two meters from neighboring towels. While awaiting foreign holidaymakers, Spain continues its regionalized deconfinement. In Madrid, Barcelona and in some areas of Castile and Leon, the latest, the terraces reopen to 50% of their capacity on Monday. The sacrosanct football championship will resume the week of June 8.

A little bubble of oxygen for the Socialist Prime Minister, strongly contested by the opposition for his crisis management. On Saturday, while speaking, Vox (far right) called a … motorized demonstration. 6,000 cars and motorcycles, Spanish flags waved at the windows, invaded central Madrid by demanding his resignation.

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