Is THIS the data that will sentence Spain to No10's 'amber-plus' list?

Is THIS the data that will sentence Spain to No10's 'amber-plus' list?
Is THIS the data that will sentence Spain to No10's 'amber-plus' list?

Covid positivity rates among travellers returning from Spain have almost tripled since the end of June, according to official data that ministers could use to slap the holiday hotspot with tougher quarantine rules. 

More than 70,000 people flew into England from Spain over the first three weeks of July and 2,065 of them tested positive — a rate of 2.9 per cent. For comparison, the figure stood at just 0.9 per cent throughout June.

The latest NHS Test and Trace statistics will be fed into No10, which Whitehall insiders say is already considering imposing stricter rules on Spain. 

The Government is set to update its travel quarantine list next week and there are hopes dozens more destinations will be placed on the green and amber lists.

But if the Government decides to push the panic button in the face of soaring rates among Spanish travellers, it could see the nation placed in the amber-plus bracket, meaning all arrivals would have to isolate for 10 days upon return — even if they've been fully vaccinated.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab today warned there are no 'cast-iron guarantees' that Spain will stay quarantine-free for vaccinated Brits.

As it stands, France is the only country on the amber-plus list but questions have been asked about what ministers used to reach that 'incomprehensible' decision.

The Government warned of the persistent presence of the 'Beta' variant to justify the move. And Mr Raab today admitted France was put in the tougher category because of high rates on Reunion island, situated in the Indian Ocean — 6,000 miles (9,600km) from Paris.

The mutant strain is even more dominant in Spain, where infections are also higher. Health officials are said to be 'getting very jumpy' about Spain's situation with the strain, which emerged in South Africa and is thought to be more resistant to the AstraZeneca vaccine given to millions in the UK.

The proportion of infected travellers flying back from Spain stands at 2.9 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent three weeks earlier. But positivity rates among travellers are higher from 11 other countries, with 11.1 per cent of those coming to England from Jersey having the virus. But the highest number of infected people came from Spain (2,065) - four times higher than the second-highest country Greece

The proportion of infected travellers flying back from Spain stands at 2.9 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent three weeks earlier. But positivity rates among travellers are higher from 11 other countries, with 11.1 per cent of those coming to England from Jersey having the virus. But the highest number of infected people came from Spain (2,065) - four times higher than the second-highest country Greece

The positivity rate among people coming to England from Spain has skyrocketed in the last three weeks to 2.9 per cent. Infection rates among the group had been between 0.6 and 1 per cent since February

The positivity rate among people coming to England from Spain has skyrocketed in the last three weeks to 2.9 per cent. Infection rates among the group had been between 0.6 and 1 per cent since February

What are the rules for people returning to England from abroad? 

AMBER LIST  

Take a Covid-19 test in the three days before you arrive in Britain  Book and pay for day two Covid-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days, and complete a passenger locator form if you are not fully vaccinated or have been to France  If you are vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine in England - but you will need to take a test before arriving back in the country, and then another on day two after your return

For all arrivals returning from an amber list country, before arriving in England, you must take a private PCR or lateral flow test in the three days before the service on which you will arrive in England departs.

For example, if you travel to England on Friday, you can take the test on or after Tuesday and will need to have the negative result available before boarding on Friday.

Before you arrive in England, everyone must also book and pay for a day two Covid-19 test, to be taken after your arrival in England.

People who are not vaccinated and anyone who has been in France in the last 10 days must also book and pay for a test on or after day eight.

You do not need to quarantine on arrival in England or take a day eight Covid-19 test, as long as you are fully vaccinated. This means that you have had your final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before the date you arrive in England. 

But under the Test to Release scheme you can choose to pay for a private Covid-19 test on day five. If the result is negative (and the result of your day two test result was negative or inconclusive), you can end your quarantine. 

RED LIST

You can only enter England if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK Take a Covid-19 test in the three days before you arrive in Britain  Book a quarantine hotel package, including two Covid-19 tests, and fill out a passenger locator form

If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last ten days you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK. 

You must also take a Covid-19 test in the three days before you arrive and book into a quarantine hotel.

The rate for one adult in one room for ten days (11 nights) is £1,750, while the additional rate for one adult (or child over 11) is £650, and for a child aged 5 to 11 it is £325.

While in the quarantine hotel you must also take two Covid-19 tests. 

GREEN LIST

Take a Covid-19 test in the three days before you arrive in Britain Book and pay for a day two Covid-19 test, which will be taken after your arrival in England Complete a passenger locator form

Before arriving in England, you must take a private PCR or lateral flow test in the three days before the service on which you will

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