Spain Reopens 370 Hotels For Stranded Expats, Tourists And Essential Workers

For stranded British expats and tourists, life under the Spanish lockdown just got slightly easier.

As the huge number of British tourists and expatriates hit hard by Spain’s current lockdown increases, the government has reversed its recent decree forcing all hotels to close. Flights out of the country are now discontinued, leaving thousands of stranded British tourists as well as expats and those on business trips to find a way home on their own. The only light at the end of the tunnel is that the Spanish government is now allowing 370 hotels to stay open in order to avoid forcing stranded Brits to sleep on the streets.

The change to the closure order was announced last week, with the reversal published on Wednesday along with the names and locations of the specified hotels and tourist accommodation. In addition to stranded tourists, the new order also helps provide accommodation for the essential workers needed to keep Spain open for business, including health workers and employees in other public service sectors. In addition, the hotels will provide accommodation for those changing locations in order to care for sick family members, dependents and minors.

The accommodation itself ranges through apartments, hotels, hostels and bungalows in Madrid, Tenerife and across Ibiza. Details of charges for accommodation provided haven’t been published as yet and the venues will stay closed to the general public but will provide restaurant services for those using the facilities. The new order will remain in place until the end of the emergency measures, a time not yet specified and dependent on circumstances.