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British Tourists Returning From Spain 'Panicking' After 14-Day Quarantine Period Announced

British Tourists Returning From Spain 'Panicking' After 14-Day Quarantine Period Announced

The government announced the increased measures late last night

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

British tourists have been left 'panicking' after the UK government decided to introduce a two-week quarantine period for anyone returning from Spain at very short notice because of the resurgence of coronavirus cases.

The government announced last night that anyone returning from Spain after midnight would have to spend 14 days in compulsory self-isolation after they announced more than 900 new cases on Friday.

That means that those queuing to return from Spain today face an extra two week layoff on top of their holiday.

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The rules currently apply to all regions of Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, though the Balearic government are hopeful of creating a regional air bridge.

There has been a spike in cases in places such as Catalunya - where the French Prime Minister has also asked tourists not to travel to - and Madrid.

One traveller at an airport in Madrid told MailOnline: "It's really bad because it's just come all of a sudden, it's not given very much time to prepare so everyone is now panicking.

"It ruins plans for everybody. We had a wedding to go to and we had plans to visit friends and family who we haven't seen in a very long time and now we are going to have to cancel all those plans, so it's really quiet upsetting."

Spain has been amongst the worst hit countries in Europe, alongside Italy, France, and the UK itself, but has seen a large increase in cases since lockdown measures were eased just over a month ago.

The country was previously amongst 74 that the UK had ruled could be visited without a quarantine period, but has now become the first to have that status removed.

As well as France's decision to ask tourists not to travel, Norway has imposed a 10-day quarantine on those returning.

The government of the Balearic Islands released a statement last night that reads: "We have been working over the last few hours to establish the basis for a safe air corridor with the UK, following the British government's quarantine imposition for all holidaymakers returning from Spain.

"The British government's decision has caused great concern in the Balearic Islands' government, given that it will cause serious problems to tourist activity in our islands."

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"One of the main arguments justifying the creation of a safe air corridor between the islands and the UK is the health situation here.

"The islands have had eight confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the past fortnight, whereas in the UK the figure is 14,1 and in Spain as a whole, 37,9."

The Majorcan resort of Magaluf has already been forced to lock down the popular bars and nightclubs on the Punta Ballena strip because of coronavirus fears.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: UK News, Europe, travel, Spain, tourism