British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defends the ban on traveling to Spain amid a peak of coronavirus, says Europe has signs of second wave


British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended the decision to effectively ban travel to Spain following an increase in coronavirus cases in part of that country, calling it the government’s “duty” to protect the UK as they begin. signs of a second wave of coronavirus appear. in Europe.

The UK government over the weekend recommended against everyone except essential travel to Spain. Travelers arriving in Britain from that country are subject to a 14-day quarantine.

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“Let us be absolutely clear about what is happening in Europe, among some of our European friends, I am afraid we are beginning to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic,” Johnson said Tuesday. “I am afraid that if we see signs of a second wave in other countries, it is really our job, our duty, to act quickly and decisively.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to cyclist Robert Cleave at the Canal Side Heritage Center in Beeston, near Nottingham, England, on Tuesday.  The government is launching a new intuitive cycle to help fit people.  (AP Photo / Rui Vieira, pool)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to cyclist Robert Cleave at the Canal Side Heritage Center in Beeston, near Nottingham, England, on Tuesday. The government is launching a new intuitive cycle to help fit people. (AP Photo / Rui Vieira, pool)

The UK has the highest official number of coronavirus deaths in Europe with over 45,000 deaths. One of the reasons cited for that is that many travelers recovered the virus during the February school holidays after ski trips in France, Italy and Spain.

Vacation companies TUI UK and Jet2 have already suspended flights to Spain, which is traditionally the most popular summer destination for British tourists.

Madrid, together with Catalonia, is one of the most affected regions in Spain. He has registered more than 74,000 cases, with almost 1,900 new infections in the past two weeks.

Bathers enjoy the beach at Pollença on the Balearic island of Mallorca, Spain on Tuesday.  The UK government's recommendation against all, less essential, trips to all of Spain means that all travelers arriving in Britain from that country must undergo a 14-day quarantine.  (AP Photo / Joan Mateu)

Bathers enjoy the beach in Pollença, on the Balearic island of Mallorca, Spain, on Tuesday. The UK government’s recommendation against all but essential travel to all of Spain means that all travelers arriving in Britain from that country must undergo a 14-day quarantine. (AP Photo / Joan Mateu)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called Britain’s new recommendation “an error” and said that the increase in new cases of COVID-19 is only concentrated in the regions of Catalonia and Aragon and is much less serious than the number of cases reported in the UK.

Spain is still in talks with the British government, “trying to find a solution that meets epidemiological criteria,” Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Ayalatold at a press conference in Athens during an official visit to Greece on Tuesday.

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Meanwhile, the Madrid regional government has tightened restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, requiring facial masks in all public areas, limiting private gatherings to no more than 10 people, and forcing nightclubs to close their doors. at 1 in the morning, much earlier than usual in Spanish summer.

Britain’s measure comes when other European countries have made movements of varying severity on trips to and from Spain.

The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised against “non-essential tourist travel” to Catalonia, its western neighbor, Aragon and Navarra in northern Spain. He cites an increase in the numbers of infection and “local closings”. Spain is not on the list of high-risk countries in Germany and travelers are not subject to quarantine.

Norway ordered a 10-day quarantine for people returning from the entire Iberian Peninsula, and France urged its citizens not to visit Catalonia.

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Johnson’s remarks about Spain come a day after he released a video on his official Twitter account, saying he was “overweight” when he was admitted to intensive care earlier this year after testing positive for COVID-19.

“I have always wanted to lose weight for centuries,” he said in the clip released Monday. “I think a lot of people, I struggle with my weight.”

He said he started running with his dog, Dilyn, and has lost about 14 pounds since his recovery. The video was released in conjunction with the launch of the UK government’s strategy to reduce obesity rates in the country.

Associated Press contributed to this report.