Travellers shared their shock and "confusion" at the Government's announcement that from midnight tonight people travelling from Spain to the UK will be expected to quarantine for two weeks.
The announcement caused some distress for holidaymakers who had either recently booked trips or had made plans to travel to Spain.
Under new the Government guidance those coming back from Spain and the Canary and Balearic Islands, will have to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return to UK after all four administrations – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – opted to join forces over the move.
It has been confirmed that the measures will come into effect from midnight tonight.
Chloe Harris, 23, from Kent, booked a last-minute trip to Lanzarote and arrived on the Spanish island this morning.
She told the PA news agency: “When I heard the news I was quite shocked because I thought they would have given us some warning. Even just some warning that this was something they were going to consider.”
The four-night trip was booked last minute on Wednesday, and Ms Harris, who is travelling with a friend, said they had researched the destination beforehand.
Speaking before the official announcement, she said: “We had done our research and we knew that the island has only had a small number of Covid cases.
“I think a lot of people are going to rush to the airport, but because we are only here for four days, and we only arrived this morning, it doesn’t seem worth it. We are just going to wait and hear if the island is included in the quarantine.
“I would probably be fine to continue working from home and quarantine from home, although I would have to stop going into the office.
“However, my friend who I travelled with is due to start a new job on August 3 and so that’s going to be difficult to explain to her employer.”
Sophie Ingham, 23, flew to Tenereife with her boyfriend Nick Baldwin a week ago. She told the MailOnline the news is "unclear and upsetting".
"I think it's ridiculous, we've only been here a week and we've followed all the rules," she said. "We have worn masks when we needed to and not been close to anyone other than each other.
"We don't even know if it definitely includes us as it is just mainland Spain that is suffering a second spike, so does this include the islands?
"It's all unclear and upsetting as we really cannot quarantine."
Ms Ingham and her boyfriend are currently waiting at the airport to see if they can return home before the quarantine is imposed.
She added: "We fly at 22:10 and land at 02:50 so we have no idea if the quarantine will affect us as the news just says from Sunday Morning."
Neil Hunter, 45, from Sittingbourne in Kent, had booked a 10-day break to Lanzarote, leaving on Tuesday. The trip had been booked since last December, but has now been thrown into doubt.
He told PA: “We were going as a family, my wife Amanda, and teenage daughter Bethany but to be honest, since this announcement, I’m unsure what’s going to happen as I work as a train driver, and I don’t think my employer will accept me having to isolate due to going on holiday.
“I am insured, but unsure whether they’d accept that as a reason for not going, especially if Hays Travel don’t cancel for me. There’s no way I could afford to cancel myself.”
He said he understood why the decision had been taken, but that it “is a lot of money and disappointing all the same”.
Some expressed on confusion on social media about the new guidance on travelling from Spain to the UK.
Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said in a statement: “The advice is clear that people already in Spain should return home as per normal and check the FCO travel pages.
“Public health must be the priority but this shows why regional travel corridors need to be considered, so that travel to safe parts of a red country can continue.
“We also need to see the introduction of testing at UK airports so that those who are Covid negative can continue to travel without the need to self-isolate upon arrival.
“We will continue to work closely with Government to protect public health whilst keeping air travel and the wider economy open.”
British Airways said the Government’s change to travel quarantine rules in relation to Spain were “yet another blow for British holidaymakers”.
In a statement, the airline said: “While our flights continue to operate, we are disappointed that the Government is now advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain and re-introducing quarantine for holidaymakers returning from Spain with immediate effect, throwing thousands of Britons’ travel plans into chaos.
“This is sadly yet another blow for British holidaymakers and cannot fail to have an impact on an already troubled aviation industry.”
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, pointed out that many people would not have made plans to travel if they knew they would face 14 days of quarantine on their return.
“Many holidaymakers will be deeply angry that the Government didn’t make this decision 48 hours ago, before tens of thousands of them flew off for their summer holidays in Spain," said Mr Boland.
He added: “The Government must give urgent clarity on whether it will be updating its FCO advice on travel to Spain, as this will have a more serious impact and may require tour operators to bring holidaymakers home early at a time when they are already under huge financial strain.
“For those with future bookings to Spain, many tour operators are now likely to cancel holidays.
“People may want to support their holiday company by accepting a refund credit note or rebooking for a later date, but it’s important operators make clear any drawbacks.
“Customers have the legal right to a cash refund if their package holiday is cancelled.”
