Brit holidaymakers searching for winter sun could be hit by Spanish Covid curbs

Brits looking to escape to Spain for some Christmas sun could be facing new Covid curbs as the tidal wave of Omicron sweeps across Europe.

Holidaymakers could face restrictions including curfews, vaccine passports and limits on social gatherings.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held a media briefing on Sunday to say a recent spike in Covid-19 cases was a “wake-up call” and his country was likely to face “shared measures” to combat the virus.

Sanchez said: “The virus is still with us and fighting it must be a priority. The figures in the last few hours, with a cumulative incidence rate of 511 positive tests for every 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days, pose a real risk to the health of our citizens.

“I’ve decided to call an emergency meeting for Wednesday December 22 to analyse the evolution of the pandemic and study measures with which to face it.”

Currently, unvaccinated Brits are barred from entering Spain where everyone must use a face mask in enclosed public spaces and outdoors where a distance of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.

Capacity restrictions for public beaches could also be reintroduced if they prove too popular.

The Spanish Prime Minister said any new Covid restrictions in Spain would be announced on December 22 after an emergency meeting.

Omicron has raced around the globe and been reported in 89 countries, the World Health Organization said.

In Italy, the government is considering new measures to avoid a surge in infections during the holiday period - local newspapers reported on Sunday.

After meeting with ministers on December 23, Prime Minister Mario Draghi could mandate people who have been vaccinated also show a negative test to access crowded places including nightclubs and stadiums - daily Corriere della Sera reported.

Germany’s health minister Karl Lauterbach ruled out a Christmas lockdown on Sunday but warned a fifth COVID-19 wave could no longer be stopped.

He said he views mandatory vaccination as the only way to end the pandemic.