COVID cases are rising across Europe and Spain is the latest to react and consider changing its current policy. Although Spain has been issued a level 3: reconsider travel warning from the U.S. state department, Spain is set to decide the closure of hotels.
While other European countries closed their border to Americans earlier this fall, Spain at the time only banned unvaccinated travelers. But due to the rise of cases, the tourism industry in the country could be severely impacted over the next few weeks if plans go ahead.
The Public Health Commission of Spain is considering closing hotels in separate regions of Spain, specifically, those with high Covid rates and who are experiencing hospital pressure. Another change could be potentially seen at nightclubs, which would need to close at 1 am and require guests to wear masks at all times when dancing.
The third change that would be enacted will impact restaurants, bars and cafes that would only be able to operate at 25% capacity indoors. It is being reported that if the Covid rate reaches either 300 or 500 per 100,000 inhabitants, separate measures will be enacted.
Currently, all vaccinated travelers can enter Spain from any country – even those destinations categorized as high risk – without proof of a negative Covid test. But unvaccinated travelers can only enter if they are traveling from a list of approved countries and take a PCR test within 72 hours of departure and show a negative result upon entry.
While this news is being reported, nearly 80% of the population is fully immunized, one of the highest vaccination coverages in Europe. Spain’s vaccination drive is picking up speed, 72,036 first vaccine doses were administered last week, a 25% rise on the previous seven days.