The Spanish islands of the Canaries and Balearic Islands are currently particularly suffering from various travel warnings and related quarantines on return. One now wants to negotiate with Germany about the creation of “safe travel corridors”. These should mean that vacationers are spared the forced quarantine, which is to apply in the Federal Republic of Germany from November 8, 2020, when they return.
Talks are also to be started with other countries in order to keep tourism alive in winter. The respective local governments and the central government in Madrid signed a corresponding protocol. In essence, the process should be as follows: Upon arrival in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, a PCR test should be carried out. Do the same again before the return flight. Both should be free of charge for vacationers, with the local health authorities making appointments available for this. The findings should be handed over promptly so that, for example, the German 48-hour deadline can be met. As soon as possible, rapid tests should also be carried out.
Spain plans that in the event of a positive result, the person concerned may not leave the country for the time being and will be allocated accommodation at the expense of the Canary Islands or Balearic Islands and will be quarantined there. The supply of food and medical care are also financed and provided by the respective local governments. If necessary: The Spanish provinces also want to fully cover the costs of a possible stay in a hospital, so that travelers or foreign health insurances do not incur any costs.
Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto hopes that negotiations with numerous countries, including Germany, will be concluded as quickly as possible. This creates safer travel corridors and mobility and tourism can be restored and reactivated under safe conditions. The fact that the Spanish regions assume all costs for tests, possibly quarantine accommodation and treatment, should also give holidaymakers an additional feeling of security. The politician said clearly that the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are a kind of “test balloon” and that the expansion to other tourist destinations on the mainland is expressly planned.
At first glance, the Spanish plans look extremely well thought out and can form a basis for negotiations with other states. However, it is unclear whether Austria, Germany and / or Switzerland, for example, will get involved and sign a “Safe Corridor Protocol”. This would mean that returnees are no longer quarantined. It is therefore necessary to wait for the results of the talks at the highest political level.