All Brits returning from Spain must now quarantine for 14 days after the Government scrapped the country's 'air bridge'.
The strict new rule was suddenly re-imposed on Saturday after a rapid increase in coronavirus cases across the top holiday destination.
It means many holidaymakers already in Spain will need to quarantine on their return to the UK without having prior warning to their trip.
The Foreign Office is also now warning against all but essential travel to the Balearic and Canary Islands as well as mainland Spain.
But what does this mean for those who cannot travel to work or work from home and can they claim statutory sick pay (SSP)?
Can I claim statutory sick pay when I self-isolate after returning from Spain?
The Government has said that workers are not entitled to SSP if they are self-isolating after entering or returning to the UK.
But they are also depending on the goodwill of employers.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said no worker following quarantine guidance should be penalised by employers, including by being put onto sick pay.
He added: “We are changing the rules – the law is changed in relation to holidaymakers and travellers – and of course we expect employers show those employees who will have to quarantine because of the law the flexibility they need.
“If someone is following the law in relation to quarantine and self-isolating the way they should, they can’t have penalties taken against them."
A government spokesperson said: “We urge employers to show flexibility to employees who will have to self-isolate due to the changes to quarantine rules.
“No employee should be penalised for following the rules and self-isolating.”
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the lack of sick pay will mean many people will be forced to go to work when they should be self-isolating.
Mr Ashworth said: "There are a whole raft of people who cannot afford to isolate because of the circumstances of their employment and if it comes to a choice between putting food on your table and feeding your family or losing your job, you're going to put food on your table aren't you?
"Even if that means you're spreading the virus."
Am I eligible for Universal Credit or employment allowance support if I'm in quarantine?
Despite not being eligible for SSP, Downing Street said holidaymakers who miss out on work because of the quarantine period may be eligible for Universal Credit or employment support allowance.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman reiterated that the Government expects employers to be “flexible” in allowing staff to work from home while self-isolating.
“Where this isn’t possible we would expect that many employers would have their own policies in place for quarantine and we know that some continue to offer full pay for all or some of the isolation period,” he added.
“But if there are people who need urgent support then they may be entitled to the new-style employment support allowance or Universal Credit.”
Pressed on whether ministers would review statutory sick pay eligibility, he said: “We always keep our response to the pandemic under review and we regularly assess the support available but there is support available for those in need.”
When can you claim statutory sick pay because of coronavirus?
Workers can claim SSP if they are unable to work when they are self-isolating because they or someone in their household has coronavirus symptoms.
They can also clam it when they are quarantining after being notified by NHS contact tracers or public health authorities that they've come into contact with someone with coronavirus.
Finally, workers are entitled to SSP if they are staying at home because they are shielding.
If someone is too ill to work, they can claim £95.85 per week of SSP, paid by the employer for up to 28 weeks.
What can you do if you lose your job due to quarantining after returning from Spain?
Downing Street said workers who lose their jobs because they are quarantining after returning from Spain could appeal to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “There are existing systems in place should a dispute occur between an employer and employee and that is the employee can take that dispute to Acas for settlement.”
