Travel restrictions reimposed in Europe amid rising infections

Madrid Desk, Jul 28 (efe-epa).- Fresh coronavirus outbreaks in parts of Europe have prompted travel restrictions and rising concerns.

A number of countries have reimposed quarantines or advised against travel to Spain after a spike in infections in some regions.

UNITED KINGDOM

Travel restrictions requiring anyone arriving in the UK from Spain to self-isolate for 14 days were reimposed by authorities on Sunday with less than 24 hour’s notice.

Authorities have also advised against Brits traveling to mainland Spain and the Balearic and Canary islands.

Parts of Spain have seen a surge of Covid-19 infections in the last week, with the regions of Aragon and Catalonia particularly badly affected.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the decision as “unjust” and added that most tourist regions in Spain have lower infection rates than the UK.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the decision on Tuesday and said it had to be made quickly.

“What we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again,” he said during a visit to Nottinghamshire in England.

“Let’s be absolutely clear about what’s happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I’m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic.”