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HEALTH-VIRUS-SPAIN-BRITAIN-TRANSPORT
Spain extends entry ban on travellers from UK
MADRID, Jan 13, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Spain on Tuesday extended for another two
weeks a ban on people entering from the UK by air or sea because of concerns
over the new strain of the coronavirus detected there.
The entry restriction, which does not apply to Spanish nationals and those
with legal residency in Spain, will remain in effect until February 2, the
Spanish government said in a statement.
Like most European nations, Spain imposed the entry restrictions on
December 22 following the discovery in Britain of a new strain of the
coronavirus thought to be more contagious.
The restriction, initially put in place for two weeks, was already renewed
once for a similar period.
The government said it had decided to extend it again because of “some
uncertainties over the reach of the new strain” of the coronavirus, the
statement said.
“The epidemiological situation in the United Kingdom has progressively
worsened,” it said.
At the same time there has been an increase in Spain in cases “linked to
the new strain”, the statement added.
The new strain of the virus, whose discovery set off alarm bells
worldwide, appears to spread more easily than other types but experts say
there is no evidence it is more lethal or resistant to vaccines.
About 70 cases of the variant have been detected in Spain, according to
the latest health ministry figures.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0904 hrs