UK ISSUES ADVISORY ON TRAVEL TO SPAIN

The UK government has advised against all but essential travel to mainland Spain and told travellers they will have to self-isolate for 14 days on return home in a move to stem the rise in coronavirus cases.

The UK will remove Spain from its list of safe countries, or so-called travel corridors, on midnight on Saturday. Those who return to the UK before midnight may avoid the 14-day quarantine rules, according to Euronews.

The British foreign ministry also said Spain’s Canary and Balearic Islands were not covered by the advice to avoid travel, but would still be subject to the quarantine.

"The FCO advises against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks," Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.

"The measure comes as Spain reported a rise in COVID-19 cases and as Catalonia shuts nightlife venues to prevent a second wave."

The travel sector and Spain's tourism industry will be hit hard as it tries to recover from the economic blow dealt by the coronavirus pandemic.