In another move that surprised the travel industry, the FCO said on Monday evening that its advice against all but essential travel to Spain now included the Balearic and Canary Islands “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks in the country”.
The change means all travel to Spain and its islands is now effectively off limits to UK visitors as travel insurance policies are invalidated.
The FCO initially announced a notice on Saturday night advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, but the Balearics and the Canaries were excluded (although the Department for Transport was still insisting Brits would have to quarantine upon arrival from these destinations).
At the time the government said in a statement: "The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain.
"This does not cover the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands because travel advice is based on the risk to the individual traveller and Covid-19 infection rates are lower there than mainland Spain."
