Slovakia bans foreign holidays

It comes as other European countries announce reopening dates for tourists

Bratislava (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Slovakian government has banned foreign holidays in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Residents are now banned from leaving the country for the purpose of leisure travel – only those who are going abroad for work or other essential reasons are permitted to do so.

There is already an internal restriction of movement, which prohibits Slovakians from leaving their local area, much like the “stay at home” order in the UK.

The move was prompted by the new, more transmissible virus variants that have been spreading across the globe.

Slovakia has been hit particularly hard by a spike of infections over the last few weeks, leading to around 100 deaths per day and 4,000 hospitalisations.

The news comes as many countries are doing the opposite, and announcing the lifting of border restrictions to enable holidays this spring and summer.

Portugal is the latest European nation to give the green light to British travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated.

Tourists must either present a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test to enter from 17 May, the country’s tourism minister told BBC Radio.

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The opening date coincides with the earliest day that people in England will be allowed to travel abroad recreationally, according to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Rita Marques also said that vaccine passports should be an international solution, rather than just within Europe, and that Britons should be able to participate.

Greece and Cyprus have also set dates of 14 May and 1 May respectively for welcoming vaccinated Brits, while Iceland said it would throw open the door to vaccinated travellers from around the world from 18 March.

France last week eased its entry restrictions for Britons, while Spain has signalled it would welcome vaccinated tourists this summer, stopping short of giving a concrete entry date.