Portugal Slaps New Rules on U.K. Arrivals as Merkel Urges Unity

Portugal and Spain imposed new restrictions on U.K. visitors amid concern about the coronavirus delta variant as Germany pushed for a more coordinated European Union response to try to limit the strain taking hold in the bloc. I The changes are a setback for Europe’s holiday destinations just as the summer tourism season should be kicking up a gear, and shares of airlines including Ryanair Holdings Plc fell on Monday.

The latest decisions add to the patchwork of confusing, and rapidly changing, rules in place for holiday makers. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested the entire EU should coordinate closely and be more cautious about allowing entry to travelers from external countries. German officials said Monday that the government has no current plans to change rules on inbound travel from virus variant areas such as the U.K., noting that regulations in place are already “very, very strict.” Merkel’s chief spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said the government continues to push for a unified EU regime on inbound travel.

Portugal’s latest decision, which takes effect Monday, imposes a quarantine on unvaccinated arrivals from Britain. Spain said U.K. tourists coming to Mallorca and Ibiza will have to show proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test.

Portugal Slaps New Rules on U.K. Arrivals as Merkel Urges Unity, Bloomberg, Jun 28