Spain will advance to June 21 the restoration of free movement with all the countries of the European Union (EU), except on the land border with Portugal where controls will be lifted on July 1, announced Sunday June 14 head of government Pedro Sánchez.

The Spanish government, which had so far given the date of July 1, has decided to lift "border controls with all member states (of the EU) on June 21," Pedro Sánchez said in a speech. televised.

>> Read also: Reopening of borders: a fragmented post-Covid Europe

This date corresponds to the lifting in Spain of the state of alert, which made it possible to impose in mid-March one of the strictest confinements in the world, and to the end of the prudent deconfinement started in mid-May.

After discussion with Portugal, the decision was however taken to "maintain controls at the land border with Portugal until June 30" included, added Pedro Sánchez.

Lifting of quarantine

As a result of this reopening of the borders, the quarantine imposed since May 15 on travelers arriving in Spain will be lifted on June 21, said Pedro Sánchez.

The Spanish head of government’s announcement comes as Brussels called on Thursday “all member states to lift all internal border restrictions on Monday” June 15.

The question of the reopening of the Spanish borders gave rise in early June to a cacophony within the Spanish government, the Minister of Tourism having announced the end of controls at the land borders on June 22 with France and Portugal before the executive reaffirms the date of July 1. 

>> Read also: Reopening of the EU's external borders: what prospects for the diasporas?

Portugal, a country much less affected by the pandemic, had expressed its surprise at this unilateral announcement.

Even before the borders are reopened to European tourists, nearly 11,000 Germans will be able to disembark from Monday in the Balearic archipelago as part of a pilot program to restart tourism.

A second step from July 1

Spain, one of the countries most bereaved by the pandemic with more than 27,000 deaths, is the second world tourist destination and the sector weighs 12% of the GDP there.

Like the other EU countries, Spain will then start from 1 July to reopen its borders to travelers from non-European countries where the epidemic situation "is similar or more favorable" than in the EU , said Pedro Sánchez.

While the epidemic is under control in the country, the Spanish authorities fear that the reopening of the borders could lead to new sources of contagion. It is "a critical moment but we are prepared for it", especially in terms of detection of new cases, assured Pedro Sánchez.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR