MADRID: The government of Spain has extended its travel restrictions on journeys from countries outside the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area for a further one month. The ban, due to expire on March 31, will be extended until April 30, according to Spain's Official State Bulletin (BOE) on Monday

The ban is on "non-essential travel between third nations outside the European Union or associated Schengen countries" out of consideration for public order and health during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Spain's Official State Bulletin said. The bulletin further said that the ban on travel to Spanish ports and airports from Britain will not be extended beyond March 31, allowing travel between the two countries for non-Spanish nationals or residents in the country to restart on April 1.

Spain has recorded 3,255,324 cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, with 75,010 people losing their lives to the virus, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The recent rise in the country's incidence rate for Covid-19 infections has prompted fears that it could face a fourth wave of infections just as the Easter holidays are imminent.

International Updates on Corona: Nations with a death toll of over 50,000 are India (161,843), the UK (126,857), Italy (108,350), Russia (96,413), France (95,114), Germany (75,991), Spain (75,199), Colombia (62,955), Iran (62,478), Argentina (55,449), South Africa (52,710), Poland (51,932) and Peru (51,469).

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