UK Government Extends Advice Against 'Non-Essential Travel' To Spain To Include Spanish Islands

The UK government has extended its advice against all but 'essential travel' to Spain to include the country's islands.

In a change of guidance, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has toughened its stance on travel from the UK to the Balearic and Canary Islands.

This brings the country's islands in line with official guidance on mainland Spain.

A statement on the FCO's website reads: "From 27 July, the FCO advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks in the country.

"This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of Covid-19 in several regions, but particularly in Aragon, Navarra and Catalonia (which include the cities of Zaragoza, Pamplona and Barcelona).

"The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time. Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus.

"If you are returning from Spain you will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK, but the FCO is not advising you to cut short your visit. You should contact your tour operator or airline if you have any questions about your return journey."

Over the weekend, the UK government changed its advice surrounding tourists travelling from the UK to Spain's mainland, with the FCO stating that all but essential travel should be avoided.

Following the announcement, package holiday company Jet2 enraged customers after removing a 'quarantine free' holiday pledge from their website and continuing to fly to Spain despite increased restrictions on those returning.

They had previously offered a three step pledge on their website in which they said they wouldn't take passengers to any country that would require them to quarantine upon their return.

The 'worry-free guarantee' had read: "There's no need to worry - we'll only take you to destinations where you don't have to quarantine, so you can really enjoy your time away."

It's not immediately clear when the pledge was removed, but it was still there on Thursday, and it's now gone.

That makes it appear as if they've reacted to the news by simply getting rid of their quarantine guarantee.

Jet2 is not the only airline that has been operating as usual following the announcement.

Ryanair has also been sending flights to Spain.

The company's boss Michael O'Leary has previously described quarantine as a load of "rubbish" and said his company would not be cancelling any more flights.

He said in June: "British people are ignoring this quarantine; they know it's rubbish," he claimed.

"Ryanair is operating a thousand daily flights to points all over Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece from July 1, 2, 3 and every day after that."