Spain warns it will only welcome UK tourists back if Britain reciprocates

Spain has warned that it will only welcome British holidaymakers back to its resorts if the UK offers the same deal to its tourists. Spain is preparing to open its borders to British holidaymakers in June provided they have a digital vaccine certificate or a negative Covid test result. But the tourism ministry said that the UK must "accept the same terms for Spanish travellers who go to the UK". Spain is looking to create its own version of the EU's proposed digital green certificate to show vaccination status or test results, with plans to trial the technology at 46 airports next month. It is thought unlikely that Spain will be on the UK Government's safe "green list" for quarantine-free travel from May 17, when the ban on foreign travel is due to be lifted, but the moves show that opening up to holidays will require bilateral negotiations and the need for digital Covid status certificates. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, on Wednesday confirmed that the NHS app will be English holidaymakers' vaccine passport, with the first trips using it within a month. Shapps said the app, which automatically links to an individual's medical records will be used as a certificate for international travel to show they are vaccinated, have a negative Covid test or immunity from having had the virus.<br/>