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Coronavirus: Spain lifts ban on flights from Italy and reopens sea border as lockdown eased

Spain has lifted a ban on all sea and air travel coming from Italy as lawmakers look to further ease lockdown restrictions, according to the government gazette.

Travellers from Italy will have to comply, however, with a two-week quarantine like other foreign visitors, while a state of emergency remains in place.

Officials in Madrid announced a nationwide lockdown on 14 March in a bid to help stop the spread of the disease, but have begun easing restrictions in recent weeks.

Over the weekend, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, a Spanish lawyer and former assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, told The Independent that the country would not open up to tourists until the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.

Arancha Gonzalez Laya said European countries will have to come up with innovative ways for people to be able to board planes and buses in order for international travel to resume in some way in 2020.

“This year will be tough because we will not be able to welcome the tourists as we have in previous years because of health and safety, not only of tourists but also of Spaniards,” she said.

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