Spain has revealed when it will be reopening to British holidaymakers with restriction-free travel. 

In a bid to boost tourism and welcome tourists back to Spain the country has launched a campaign that should reassure travellers it’s safe to visit. 

Currently, Spain remains off the UK travel corridor list meaning arrivals from the country will have to self-isolate on entry to Britain (excluding the Canary Islands).

Visitors must present a negative Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours on arrival to enter the country.

The latest €2 million campaign hopes to welcome visitors without restrictions by the end of March, reports the MEN.

There will be a daily updated ‘Travel Safe’ section on the spain.info website which will have measures in individual regions including, for example, restaurant capacities. 

The Turespaña strategy will continue while coronavirus restrictions remain, already welcome in popular destinations including Menorca and Ibiza. 

The Balearic Islands are expected to be the first to welcome restriction-free travel. The Balearic tourism minister, Iago Negueruela, told local media: “First of all, however, there is the task of positioning, selling and explaining to the world that the islands are a safe destination.”

See the Covid-19 measures in Spain here.  

Manchester Airport has launched a new Covid-19 testing facility today, as part of a move by its parent company the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) in partnership with travel medical provider Collinson.

This means the full range of tests – RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Antigen and Antibody – will be available to all passengers in a brand new facility just outside of the main terminal building.

MAG has also become the first operator to give passengers the chance to book discounted pre-flight testing appointments on the high street, at selected Boots stores in the UK.

Manchester Airport

The news means passengers using Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports will be given maximum flexibility when planning their trips, and comes in the week that the UK Government lifts England’s international travel ban.

Certain governments currently allow pre-departure tests in order to shorten or completely alleviate quarantine requirements in the destination country, while others require them in order to gain entry.  

Passengers will also now be able to book any tests they need to shorten their self-isolation period upon return under the UK Government’s ‘Test to Release’ scheme.

The scheme, announced last week, will launch on December 15th and allows travellers arriving from higher risk countries to reduce their period of quarantine by taking a test five days after they arrive in the UK.

Manchester Airport

‘Test to Release’ follows in the footsteps of a number of countries who are already offering quarantine-free inbound travel to those able to provide evidence of a negative test.

Boots offers an in-store RT-PCR Covid-19 testing service – which returns results within 48 hours – from more than 50 stores across the UK, specifically for customers who do not suspect they have Covid-19.

MAG passengers will be able to access a 5% discount, which customers can access through the airport’s website.

Airport testing prices through Collinson start at £40 for Antibody tests, £50 for Antigen tests, £79 for RT-LAMP tests and £99 for RT-PCR tests.

Manchester Airport

Managing Director of Manchester Airport, Karen Smart, said: “As the UK emerges from a ban on international travel, we know our passengers are keen to start flying again, but that many of Manchester Airport’s most popular destinations, such as the Canary Islands, require a negative test before you arrive.

“This new facility will make the process of showing you’re infection-free when planning and booking a holiday as easy and cost-effective as possible in the current circumstances. Our new booking platform makes it easy to select the right test for your destination, and at the location that is most convenient for you.

“Located right by the terminal building means passengers can either opt for a test on the day of departure before they go through security, or visit in the run up to their journey at a time to suit them.

“This also means Manchester is perfectly placed to support the introduction of a UK arrivals testing regime, which will enable travellers to reduce the length of time they need to self-isolate if they test negative after five days.

“This is the latest example of MAG leading the way as we look to work with Government and the rest of our industry to get Britain flying again.”

Virgin Atlantic has launched an epic Black Friday sale with return flights to NYC for as little as £280. 

New York isn’t the only destination on the list of cheap flights either! There’s also deals on flights to Vegas, San Francisco and Orlando! 

Return flights from London to New York in January and February next year start at just £280 per person. Flights in April from Manchester will set you back just £288.

In April you can fly to LA for £321, a round trip to San Francisco will set you back £324 and Vegas and Orlando are £326.

There’s also deals to be had on some winter sun with discounts on flights to the Caribbean in January and March. You can fly to Barbados from £345, or Jamaica from £395.

The airline has handily separated their deals into sections including Winter Sun, Easter Getaways, Visit Friends & Relatives, West Coast USA, East Coast USA, Caribbean, Premium, Upper Class and Our Best Prices.

You will need to check the current restrictions to flying as well as any quarantine restrictions that might be in place at the end of travel! 

Virgin Atlantic is offering a free Covid-19 cover worth £500,000 which gives you flexible booking, enhanced hygiene measures, free amenity kits including mask and hand sanitisers plus other perks.

Check out more here.