Spain has joined Portugal in requiring a 14-day isolation for holiday makers returning to the UK from holiday following Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.

Only the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa) and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera) are exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.

Amongst those troubled by the news yesterday morning is likely to be Transport Minister Grant Shapps, said to be flying at the time of the announcement with his family to Spain.

The move will complicate matters for people expecting to go on holiday to Spain at this time not sure what the position is with ATOL packages and separately booked flights.

The UK's biggest tour operator, Tui, has cancelled flights to Spain, British Airways is still operating and said the move was "throwing thousands of Britons' travel plans into chaos."  Budget airline easyJet is also maintaining a full schedule, as is Jet2 which has cancelled all mainland Spanish holidays until 9 August.

www.gov.uk/government/news/spain-removed-from-travel-corridors-exemption-list