UK air bridge with Spain could be ‘pulled’ over concerns of virus spike

It has been reported that the UK’s air bridges could be pulled at the last minute over growing concerns of the large number of outbreaks across Spain.

Currently the list of safe countries which the government operate the air bridges is reviewed every three weeks, however MPs intend to replace the review at short notice depending on spikes in cases.

The Telegraph understands that the British government are expected to announce a rolling review system, which will have countries who are at risk placed on a “red list” quickly.

Since the national lockdown ended in Spain there has been more than 180 coronavirus outbreaks across the country.

On Thursday outbreaks in Catalonia, Aragon and the Basque region has seen 2,615 new confirmed coronavirus cases, which has soared compared to 132 cases last month.

On Thursday a town in South East Spain was closed after 55 people who met at a bar all tested positive for the virus.

Health Authorities in Barcelona asked around 4m residents to stay at home for 15 days due to a high surge in coronavirus cases last Friday.

Jacobo Mendioroz, an epidemiologist and head of the Catalan coronavirus monitoring unit has said that Barcelona may have to return to an enforced lockdown within two weeks.

Hundreds of British holidaymakers have cancelled their holiday plans to Spain at the last minute, the tourist authorities have said.

Elizabeth Keegan, the director of tourism in Lloret de Mar, a resort 48-miles north of Barcelona, told The Telegraph, “We are getting cancellations from Britain, France and Belgium.

“The 120 hotels here are about 65% full and they are normally 100% full at this time of year.

“We are getting calls from Britain asking if we are in Catalonia because they have heard the news about the cases in Barcelona.”

There are 20 coronavirus outbreaks in the Cost Blanca region which are mainly linked to bars and parties by young people, said regional health chief Ana Barcelo

Barcelo said, “We are enormously worried that more cases could continue appearing due to night-life activities.”