Face masks obligatory on beaches in Spain from tomorrow

• 'Traffic light system' that could unlock holidays

• Which countries could be 'green'?

• When can I go on holiday?

• ​How far can I travel in the UK right now?

• Sign up to the Telegraph Travel newsletter

A strict new law in Spain will require people to wear face coverings at all times outdoors, even while sunbathing on beaches.

It replaces the current rules, which have been in force since June 2020, that only require face coverings to be worn when social distancing is restricted. According to papers published in Spain's official gazette, those aged six and over must wear masks "on public roads, in open-air spaces and in any closed space for public use or that is open to the public."

The measure has no end date, but will last until the Government declares the Covid-19 crisis over, the announcement added. Previously officials exempted the Balearic Islands but the law is expected to strip authorities of the power to do so.

Without clear details on how the policy will be enforced, tourists could open themselves up to fines by swimming in the sea without a face covering.

The enforcing of mask-wearing on beaches comes just weeks after Professor Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, told the Science and Technology Committee that despite fears that people flocking to the seaside would be "super-spreader" events, in fact "there were no outbreaks linked to crowded beaches".

"There’s never been a Covid-19 outbreak linked to a beach ever anywhere in the world to the best of my knowledge," he added. “I think we do have to understand where the risks are so that we can do as much as possible safely."

Scroll down for more updates.

04:10 PM

Tuesday's headlines

That's it from us today. He's a reminder of the top stories:

• Roadmap on reopening international travel to be unveiled on April 5

• 'Door not shut': Summer holidays abroad could be saved by secret labs in Wiltshire

• English Heritage sites reopen

• Europeans flock to Spain

• Germany makes Covid test condition of entry

• Cornwall daytrippers told to stay away amid mini heatwave

• MPs and peers write to Government on travel plight

Join Telegraph Travel again tomorrow for the latest travel news throughout the day.

04:04 PM

Expedition cruising to make summer comeback

Cruise operator Lindblad Expeditions will resume sailing in June, with voyages in the Galapagos and Alaska.

Passengers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before boarding, as well as show proof of two negative Covid tests.

The six- and eight-night Alaska cruises will be on National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture, with the Galapagos sailings on National Geographic Endeavour II.

Chief executive Sven Lindblad said his team have spent the last year “examining every single aspect of our operation to be prepared to operate in the ‘new normal’.”

03:50 PM

Latest UK Covid numbers

The UK has recorded 56 coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours.

This brings the total deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test to 126.615, with 4,040 new infections detected.

03:44 PM

The best cruise holidays in Greece

Tourists will be welcome in Greece from May – here's Jane Archer's guide to most incredible Greek cruises to book, from island-hopping voyages to the best family-friendly sailings.

Read more: The best cruise holidays in Greece

03:37 PM

Behind the holiday traffic light system

It is the question on everyone’s lips. Will we be able to travel abroad this summer? And if so, where?

A holiday 'traffic light system' is set to be unveiled – which countries could be given the green light? The Telegraph understands that countries will be labelled as green (no restrictions, or perhaps a requirement to take a test), yellow (open, but with testing requirements), amber (open, with testing and quarantine requirements) and red (a ban on direct flights, and hotel quarantine for returning Britons).

Find out which factors will influence the decisions, as well as which colour your favourite destination might be.

Read more: Which countries will be green, yellow, amber and red in the new holiday traffic light system?

03:28 PM

'Encouraging' signs of summer holiday bookings

Erin Johnson, marketing director for Sovereign Luxury Travel, told The Telegraph:

03:20 PM

Barnard Castle is back in the news

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week announced a deal with British pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline to "fill and finish" 60 million doses of a new coronavirus vaccine at its Barnard Castle factory.

Yes, that Barnard Castle. The first lockdown, Dominica Cummings... and an eye test, apparently.

Read more: Why is the small market town worth a visit?

03:10 PM

MPs and peers write to Government on travel plight

More than 40 cross-party MPs and peers have written to the Government urging it to introduce a risk-based approach to the restart of international travel.

They are backing a demand from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Future of Aviation is also calling for quick testing for arrivals into the UK and a 'test to release' to ensure the quarantine period is kept the shortest period of time.

Henry Smith, the committee chairman, said:

02:54 PM

Sterling hits 12-month high against struggling Euro

Follow all the latest on our Business live blog.

02:47 PM

Tranquil Madeira just became one of our best bets for a summer holiday overseas

Madeira is now accepting vaccinated visitors, moving it a step closer to a reunion with British holidaymakers.

Chris Leadbeater explains why he loves the Portuguese island.

02:33 PM

Joe Biden urges states to pause Covid-19 reopenings as CDC warns of 'impending doom'

US President Joe Biden urged states to pause reopening efforts and a top health official warned of "impending doom" on Monday, amid a surge in Covid-19 cases that threaten efforts to quash the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Biden said 90 per cent of US adults would be eligible for vaccination by April 19, and 90 per cent of Americans would have a vaccination center within five miles (8 km) of their homes by then, as his team ramps up its drive to get vaccine shots in people's arms.

Read the full report here.

02:18 PM

A ramble ending at the pub, anyone?

In case you have been living on another planet, pub gardens are due to reopen on April 12.

Here is a selection of the finest pub walks in the Chilterns that start and end at a country pub.

02:06 PM

Indian Covid-19 situation turning from 'bad to worse'

India's coronavirus situation is turning from "bad to worse," a senior government official has said, as infections surge across several states.

"Remember if the cases are more, they will eventually overwhelm the system", senior health official Vinod Kumar Paul told a news conference.

Earlier this week India recorded over 68,000 new infections – a rapid, six-fold escalation in cases since mid-February and the country is now fighting to contain a resurgent outbreak that is increasingly thought to be driven by new, more transmissible variants.

Our correspondent Joe Wallen has this dispatch from Nagpur, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, which is experiencing the worst of the surge, reporting more cases than at any other point during the pandemic.

Nagpur has become the first major Indian city to return to a lockdown since June and an eerie silence has descended over its usually bustling streets.

“The last three weeks have been unprecedented, with more patients than during the first surge and we are seeing a shortage of beds,” said Dr Prashant Rahate, the chairman of Nagpur’s SevenStar Hospital, “Both the government and private hospitals in Nagpur are flooded.”

Read the full article here.

01:53 PM

The gilded reality of travelling the world on an Arab sheikh's three-month honeymoon

During Alicia Healey's 70 days touring the globe as a lady's maid, she encountered private jets, diamond dramas, prayer mats and more.

Read her insider's story of travelling the world with an Arab sheikh, here.

01:42 PM

Cornwall daytrippers told to stay away amid mini heatwave

Cornwall and Devon daytrippers have been told to stay away if they're driving for more than an hour to visit the popular tourist hotspots, as this week’s heatwave has already prompted Britons to flock to the beach.

Tourist bosses have reported seeing a sea of cars with surfboards on their roofs heading towards the beach in Devon as people make the most of loosened lockdown restrictions.

As of Monday, groups of up to six or two households are now able to socialise in parks and gardens, while outdoor sports facilities can also reopen.

The relaxation of England’s lockdown has coincided with an ongoing "exceptionally warm" spell of weather, the Prime Minister said as he urged people to remain cautious.

Read the full report here.

01:30 PM

In UK Covid news

Roughly half of people in the UK now have antibodies to Covid-19, amid growing signs that the unprecedented vaccination campaign is having an impact.

According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), some 55 per cent of people in England had coronavirus antibodies in the week to March 14 - a sign either of vaccination or a past infection.

In Wales this figure is 51 per cent, followed by 49 per cent in Northern Ireland and 43 per cent in Scotland.

The highest antibody rates were in older people: more than 80 per cent of over-65s in private households had detectable levels.

"The upward trend in antibody positivity in the latest data will principally be because more and more people are being vaccinated, since the level of actual virus infections is fairly low across all the UK countries," said Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics at the Open University.

A separate release from the ONS also showed that weekly deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales have fallen to the lowest level seen since October.

In the week ending March 19, 963 fatalities registered mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate. This figure is a drop of 36 per cent on the previous week's total, but takes the UK's coronavirus death toll to more than 150,000.

Follow all the latest, over on our Covid blog.

01:16 PM

As Britain tentatively emerges from lockdown, millions of Americans are already on holiday

Sarah Ivens writes:

"Bermuda. Bahamas. Key Largo. Montego. No, I’m not just warbling the lyrics to that Beach Boys anthem to all things tropical, Kokomo, but sharing a list of destinations my American friends are hitting up this week.

"It’s Spring Break time here in the US, where I’ve lived for the last decade, currently in Austin, Texas, and March is the number one time of the year for Statesiders to kick back, chill out and grab a change of scenery. The summer months are for sending kids off to The Parent Trap-style sleepaway camps while parents enjoy peace and quiet at home in the air conditioning. But Spring Break is the time for family adventures and five-star resorts – whether there is a pandemic or not, it turns out."

Read her full report

01:02 PM

More restaurants to introduce a pay-before-you-eat policy when they reopen

As lockdown restrictions ease restaurants around the country are gearing up for a gradual reopening, with outdoor dining available at the earliest from April 12, and indoor service from May 17.

It remains a precarious situation for the hospitality industry, especially with social distancing measures set to continue (limiting customer numbers), and many operators are worried about making enough money to survive.

Read the full report here.

12:50 PM

Police shut down illegal post-lockdown rave

West Midlands Police shut down an illegal rave being held under a bridge on the M6 motorway on Saturday evening. Watch below.

12:38 PM

Volunteering breaks on idyllic Greek islands to beat the holiday ban

Can't wait until holidays are legal again? A volunteering break counts as a reasonable excuse.

From donkey sanctuary on Crete to turtle-monitoring in Zante (or helping bears in the Pindos Mountains), here are the top ways to get overseas without breaking any rules.

12:17 PM

Israel reopens border with Egypt for the first time since pandemic started

Israel has reopened its border crossing with neighboring Egypt for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Israeli authorities today started allowing 300 citizens per day to enter and exit for the purpose of tourism in the Sinai Peninsula, provided they pass coronavirus tests before each crossing and are have either been vaccinated or survived a Covid-19 infection.

Before the pandemic, Sinai's beaches were a popular destination for Israeli tourists. In March 2020, Israel closed the Taba border crossing to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Israel's world-leading vaccination campaign has seen over 50 per cet of the population inoculated against the coronavirus and the reopening of the country's economy.

11:56 AM

Scotland to ease out of lockdown

Scotland's "stay at home" lockdown order will end this Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

People are being urged to "stay local" and remain within their local authority boundaries for the next three weeks.

And from April 5, hairdressers, garden centres and homeware stores will be allowed to, with other shops, gyms and some indoor hospitality venues following on April 26 – when Scotland's domestic travel ban ends.

Sturgeon praised the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine but warned that there can be "no grounds for complacency".

11:51 AM

Epic world cruise sells out within hours

A new world cruise due to depart Sydney in January 2023 has sold out on the first day it could be booked.

Silversea’s ‘South Side Story - All the World's a Stage’ voyage broke the company’s records for fastest sell-out.

Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's president and chief executive, said: “This triumph pays testament to the strong demand we are seeing in the market, particularly from affluent, sophisticated travellers.”

The 139-day cruise on Silver Shadow ship, will leave Sydney for New Zealand before heading to the Pacific, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. The final stop will be Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

11:41 AM

How far can I travel in the UK right now?

We're moving through the roadmap out of lockdown in England. Emma Featherstone looks at what this means for travel within the countr, and to elsewhere in the UK.

You'll find all of the details here.

11:31 AM

Where will we be able to cruise?

After a year without passengers, ocean cruising is gearing up to return to water. Telegraph Travel cruise expert Dave Monk looks at what the future holds.

Read more: Will cruise holidays make a comeback in 2021, and where will we be able to go?

11:26 AM

International travel report to come a week early

The UK’s holiday roadmap will be unveiled on April 5, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

The Government’s Global Travel Taskforce was expected to report on April 12, but yesterday evening Boris Johnson confirmed the announcement will be made one week earlier than planned on April 5, with further detail to be given on April 12.

May 17 is the earliest date that foreign holidays could resume, and yesterday a group of forty MPs sent the Prime Minister a letter urging him to avoid delaying the ban on travel any further.

They said that it was “paramount that the restart of international travel provides the opportunity for businesses in the aviation, travel and tourism industries to begin their long journey back to recovery.”

Industry insider Paul Charles said: “I’d read much positivity into the fact we’re going to get one overseas travel announcement on April 5 and then greater detail on the 12th. You don’t announce bad news twice.”

11:04 AM

In pictures: UK set to enjoy hottest March day since 1968

10:52 AM

New quarantine rules in Poland

New quarantine rules take effect from today for people travelling to Poland amid a surge in coronavirus infections.

Those entering Poland from other parts of the European Union's Schengen area are now required to quarantine for 10 days unless they can show a negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous two days.

Travellers arriving from outside the Schengen zone must quarantine for 10 days unless they take a test on arrival and it gives a negative result.

10:40 AM

Travel 'simply cannot afford' stop-start approach

The travel industry will struggle to cope with another start-start approach to recovery, according to trade body UKinbound.

Domestic tourist would not spend enough to make up the shortfall if international travellers didn't head to the UK, and the uncertainty around borders opening would cut confidence that people would enjoy an overseas holiday to the UK.

Chief executive Joss Croft said:

The Government's Global Travel Taskforce will publish its findings on April 5.

10:27 AM

Germany makes Covid test condition of entry

Travellers flying to Germany must show a negative Covid-19 before boarding the aircraft under new plans that came into force today.

The rules will be in place until at least May 12.

The results must be in German, English or French and must have been taken within no more than 48 before arrival in Germany. If the test if positive the traveller will be denied boarding and be required to follow local coronavirus rules regarding quarantining.

Children aged under five are exempt from the new rules.

10:16 AM

The benefits of living in a town that no tourist in their right mind would visit

The Government wants us to swap Bath and Oxford for the likes of Portsmouth, but locals in unheralded towns might prefer you to stay away, says Rob Crossan.

Read the full piece here.

10:08 AM

Riding the rails (soon)

Trainline, the train and coach booking app, has reported that bookings for travel within the UK have jumped 125 per cent this week compared with a month ago.

Read more: What you can and can't do as restrictions start easing

10:05 AM

Restrictions in Turkey as cases jump

Turkey is reinstating weekend lockdowns across most of the country, with tough restrictions in place over Ramadan, after an increase of Covid-19.

The number of cases has soared in the weeks after the country divided its 81 provinces into four colour-coded categories and relaxed restrictions in some provinces under a "controlled normalization" effort.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 58 out of 81 provinces (around 80 per cent of the population), including Istanbul and Ankara, are now designated as "red" or "very high-risk" areas and will be subjected to lockdowns on both Saturdays and Sundays, while night-time weekend curfews across the country would continue.

09:49 AM

Which countries will be green?

The Government is due to unveil a 'traffic light system' for unlocking travel. We believe the Caribbean is a top contender for the green list. Why?

Since the pandemic began, the Caribbean has been the most reliable corner of the world when it comes to holiday options for Britons. Prior to the UK Government scrapping all travel corridors in January 2021, there were eight Caribbean islands welcoming British travellers, including the likes of Barbados, Cuba, St Lucia and Antigua. All required testing prior to departure or on arrival, or both, as a means to dodge quarantine. Given their willingness to introduce new protocols and their collective heavy reliance on tourism, it is quite possible the islands will start accepting some kind of vaccination certificate as an alternative to a negative test. Watch this space.

Read our full predictions for the Green, Amber and Red lists – here.

09:41 AM

Italy to impose mandatory five-day quarantine on EU travel

Italy will impose a mandatory five-day quarantine for all those arriving or returning from trips to European Union countries, health ministry sources said on Tuesday.

Travellers will also need to take a Covid-19 test before leaving the country and a further test after their quarantine period is finished.

Similar measures are already in place for trips to countries outside the European Union. The sources did not say how long the new restrictions would remain in place.

09:40 AM

Where to take your first post-lockdown holiday? There's no contest...

... says Nick Trend.

Wondering where he's describing? You can find out here.

09:04 AM

Europeans flock to Spain

Our very own Oliver Smith comments on the French, Italians, Germans and Dutch flocking to Spain for a dose of "normality".

09:00 AM

English Heritage sites reopen

In case you missed it, yesterday English Heritage reopened the grounds at 62 of its sites across the land. You can find the full list of reopened sites, here (including a few of our favourites) and the map below shows where you can find the nearest English Heritage site to your home.

08:45 AM

Will passengers need the Covid vaccine to go on a cruise?

It’s been over a year since the global cruise industry shuddered to a halt as coronavirus spread. Only river cruising in Europe mounted a significant comeback in 2020 – but this year holidays afloat looks set to spring back into life for sea-starved Britons, with domestic cruises permitted from as early as May 17.

The announcement of new cruises in home waters comes as the UK’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout is proving a success. As of the start of this week, more than 28 million people in the country have been given their first jab.

But what does this mean for those hoping to embark on a long-awaited voyage? As cruise lines have begun to diverge on their requirements for boarding, Telegraph Travel explores what this will mean for travellers.

Benjamin Parker explains everything you need to know.

08:37 AM

What does the April 5 'early' announcement mean?

Our consumer travel expert, Nick Trend, says:

"Quite what this means isn’t clear. But it is hard to see how an earlier update will bring good news when all the emphasis from both scientists and politicians has been on the need for caution.

"The optimist in me still hopes that we will get a managed return to overseas travel by the end of May, with a handful of destinations with low levels of infection and variants being reopened to British travellers and others added as the summer progresses. I have a flight booked to Greece on June 5 and I certainly haven’t given up on that yet.

"But clearly we need to be prepared for a delay. And that would trigger a potentially disastrous new round of cancellations, adding to a refund crisis which, for many of us, is still unresolved."

08:28 AM

Mini Heatwave: head to your nearest (secret) beach

Dig out the beach towels and grab your cases from under the bed. After all the thwarted plans, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

If all goes to plan with the lockdown roadmap, domestic travel will slowly reopen from April 12, with even more easing of restrictions from May 17. The seaside will be waiting – ice cream vans and candy floss stalls at the ready.

Here are our favourite lesser-known beaches across the land.

08:11 AM

Why are MPs calling for France to be added to the 'red list'?

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, confirmed on Sunday that hauliers travelling to England from outside the UK for visits lasting more than two days will be tested for coronavirus, but the Labour party is leading calls for France to be added to the red list.

France reported more than 37,000 new cases and 360 deaths yesterday, and according to French government data the South African and Brazilian variants account for around 5% of new infections. For some regions the figure is far higher, with 36.2% of new cases in the Moselle region, on the border with Germany, blamed on the two strains.

08:07 AM

Flight attendant convicted of spreading Covid

A court in Vietnam handed a two-year suspended jail term to a Vietnam Airlines flight attendant on Tuesday after finding him guilty of breaking Covid-19 quarantine rules and spreading the virus to others, police said.

Duong Tan Hau, 29, was convicted of "spreading dangerous infectious diseases" at the one-day trial at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security said in a statement.

Vietnam has been praised for its efforts to contain the virus through mass testing and tracing and strict centralised quarantining. It has recorded fewer than 2,600 Covid-19 infections and only 35 deaths due to the disease.

Hau breached the country's 14-day quarantine regulations and met 46 other people following his flight from Japan in November, according to the indictment posted on a police ministry website.

Hau had mingled with other people during a stint in state quarantine and according to the indictment visited cafes, restaurants and attended English classes while he was supposed to be self-isolating. He tested positive for Covid-19 on Nov 28.

08:02 AM

'Door not shut': Summer holidays abroad could be saved by secret labs in Wiltshire

Summer holidays abroad could be saved by Porton Down tests on how the vaccines work on new variants, Matt Hancock has disclosed.

The Health Secretary said the findings from the tests at the Ministry of Defence’s top secret labs in Wiltshire due in the “next few weeks” could determine how many countries had restrictions lifted for summer holidays.

He said “the door was not shut” on foreign getaways as it emerged Government scientists have been heartened by preliminary data that suggests the vaccines may be effective against new variants and the risk of transmission is reduced “substantially” in people who have been inoculated.

Both Mr Hancock and Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, on Monday warned that the biggest risk in the UK’s battle against Covid was the importation of new variants, which have surged on the Continent and particularly in France.

07:21 AM

What happened yesterday?

A re-cap of yesterday's top stories.

• It is now illegal to leave the UK without a 'reasonable excuse'

• A four-tier traffic light system could save summer holidays – backed by airlines

• Downing Street defends the decision not to add France to the red list

• Matt Hancock: 'Door is not shut' on foreign holidays this summer

• Cyprus confirms plans to welcome UK travellers

• Portugal extends suspension of UK flights until mid-April

• English Heritage sites reopen

• Refund credit notes extended until April 30

Now, on with today's stories