This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53562603

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus: Spanish PM says UK's travel restrictions 'unjust' Coronavirus: UK quarantine restrictions unjust - Spain PM
(31 minutes later)
The UK government decision to advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Spain was "unjust", the country's prime minister has said. The UK government decision to impose a two week quarantine on everyone arriving from Spain was "unjust", the country's prime minister has said.
Pedro Sanchez said tourists in most Spanish regions would be safer from coronavirus than in the UK, and he was hoping Britain would rethink its move. Pedro Sánchez said tourists in most Spanish regions would be safer from coronavirus than in the UK, and he was hoping Britain would rethink its move.
He said talks were ongoing after the UK imposed a 14-day quarantine on people returning from anywhere in Spain. He said talks were ongoing after the UK also advised against all but essential travel to the whole of Spain.
Labour said the government's handling of the restrictions had been "chaotic".Labour said the government's handling of the restrictions had been "chaotic".
But the UK government said it has no plans to change its decision to reintroduce the quarantine measures from last Sunday - with Boris Johnson's official spokesman warning that "no travel is risk-free during this pandemic".But the UK government said it has no plans to change its decision to reintroduce the quarantine measures from last Sunday - with Boris Johnson's official spokesman warning that "no travel is risk-free during this pandemic".
On Monday, the Foreign Office also extended its travel advice for Spain, now telling people to avoid non-essential journeys to the Canary and Balearic Islands, as well as mainland Spain. On Monday, the Foreign Office extended its travel advice for Spain, now telling people to avoid non-essential journeys to the Canary and Balearic Islands, as well as mainland Spain.
In an interview on Spain's Telecinco TV network, Mr Sanchez said he was hoping to convince the UK government to change its decision to remove Spain from a list of countries exempt from quarantine rules. In an interview on Spain's Telecinco TV network, Mr Sánchez said he was hoping to convince the UK government to change its decision to remove Spain from a list of countries exempt from quarantine rules.
"We are talking with British authorities to try to get them to reconsider a measure that, in our opinion, is not well adjusted if we consider epidemiological criteria of Spain, particularly in some tourist destinations in our country.""We are talking with British authorities to try to get them to reconsider a measure that, in our opinion, is not well adjusted if we consider epidemiological criteria of Spain, particularly in some tourist destinations in our country."
He said the UK had made an "error" by considering the infection rate for the whole country.He said the UK had made an "error" by considering the infection rate for the whole country.
Spain's prime minister added that "64.5% of the new cases registered are in two territories" and in most of Spain the prevalence of Covid-19 was "very much inferior to the numbers registered in the United Kingdom".Spain's prime minister added that "64.5% of the new cases registered are in two territories" and in most of Spain the prevalence of Covid-19 was "very much inferior to the numbers registered in the United Kingdom".
The rate of infection in Spain is 35.1 cases per 100,000 people, while the UK is at 14.7, according to the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.The rate of infection in Spain is 35.1 cases per 100,000 people, while the UK is at 14.7, according to the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
While the outbreak remains under control in many parts of Spain, certain areas - in particular Catalonia in the north-east and the neighbouring region of Aragón - have seen a huge spike in infections.While the outbreak remains under control in many parts of Spain, certain areas - in particular Catalonia in the north-east and the neighbouring region of Aragón - have seen a huge spike in infections.
Data up to 19 July suggested there were lower rates of infection in the Balearic and Canary Islands than in mainland Spain.Data up to 19 July suggested there were lower rates of infection in the Balearic and Canary Islands than in mainland Spain.
Travellers returning to the UK from anywhere in Spain must now self-isolate for 14 days at a registered address.Travellers returning to the UK from anywhere in Spain must now self-isolate for 14 days at a registered address.
Holiday companies Jet2 and Tui were among those to announce sweeping flight cancellations following the UK announcement.Holiday companies Jet2 and Tui were among those to announce sweeping flight cancellations following the UK announcement.
EasyJet, British Airways, and Ryanair said they would continue to operate full schedules of flights to Spain, though EasyJet said its holidays would be cancelled for the next few weeks.EasyJet, British Airways, and Ryanair said they would continue to operate full schedules of flights to Spain, though EasyJet said its holidays would be cancelled for the next few weeks.
Among the thousands affected by the change in travel advice was Tom Clasby, who had checked into an airport hotel near Stansted with his fiancé, their two daughters, and other family members, ahead of a holiday to Majorca.Among the thousands affected by the change in travel advice was Tom Clasby, who had checked into an airport hotel near Stansted with his fiancé, their two daughters, and other family members, ahead of a holiday to Majorca.
Mr Clasby, 26, was due to depart at 06:55 BST on Tuesday but now faces having to return home to Bury St Edmunds.Mr Clasby, 26, was due to depart at 06:55 BST on Tuesday but now faces having to return home to Bury St Edmunds.
"We're in a situation where we can't do anything yet and I don't actually know what to do. The poor little girls have been so excited for this holiday - it's the second holiday this year we've had cancelled," he told the BBC."We're in a situation where we can't do anything yet and I don't actually know what to do. The poor little girls have been so excited for this holiday - it's the second holiday this year we've had cancelled," he told the BBC.
"We are just very disappointed, the girls will be so upset in the morning.""We are just very disappointed, the girls will be so upset in the morning."
Also affected was Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who flew to Spain on Saturday despite knowing a decision on the quarantine policy was due.Also affected was Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who flew to Spain on Saturday despite knowing a decision on the quarantine policy was due.
Mr Shapps said in a statement he would return to the UK on Wednesday in order to complete his quarantine and would return to work as soon as possible.Mr Shapps said in a statement he would return to the UK on Wednesday in order to complete his quarantine and would return to work as soon as possible.
Labour has urged the government to step in to protect jobs in the travel industry.Labour has urged the government to step in to protect jobs in the travel industry.
Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: "The government's handling of this issue has been nothing short of chaotic. The airline industry and passengers need clarity."Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: "The government's handling of this issue has been nothing short of chaotic. The airline industry and passengers need clarity."
He added that the government "must focus support on the sectors that desperately need it, like aviation".He added that the government "must focus support on the sectors that desperately need it, like aviation".
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has been criticised by MPs over its response in helping more than a million Britons travelling abroad at the start of the pandemic.Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has been criticised by MPs over its response in helping more than a million Britons travelling abroad at the start of the pandemic.
The Foreign Affairs Committee said the repatriation operation had been too slow, whilst advice had been misleading or confusing.The Foreign Affairs Committee said the repatriation operation had been too slow, whilst advice had been misleading or confusing.
It comes as a further seven people with coronavirus were reported to have died across all settings in the UK, according to latest government figures - bringing the UK's total number of deaths to 45,759.It comes as a further seven people with coronavirus were reported to have died across all settings in the UK, according to latest government figures - bringing the UK's total number of deaths to 45,759.
In other developments:In other developments: