Minister: Holidaymakers must accept self-isolation risk

Simon Clarke, minister for regional growth and local government, told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (28 July) the government reserved the right to take decisive action to "keep the British public safe".

It comes after the government revoked Spain’s travel corridor at midnight on Saturday into Sunday with just a few hours notice, effectively reimposing a two-week self-isolation requirement for those arriving from Spain – just over three weeks after quarantine-free travel to and from the UK’s foremost holiday destination resumed.

The Foreign Office has since advised against all but essential travel to all of Spain, the mainland and its islands – the Balearics and the Canaries.

Clarke said holidaymakers must be aware they are travelling at a time when there is a possibility the travel advice and rules for their destination could change while they are overseas.

On the Foreign Office’s decision on Monday afternoon (27 July) to extend its advisory against all non-essential to mainland Spain to its islands as well, Clarke said the move was based on advice from the UK’s Joint Biosecurity Centre following a surge in cases in Spain, which the country says it has under control.

While it marked the third change in the government’s stance on travel to Spain, and its islands, in so many days, Clarke played down a suggestion by presenter Louise Minchin ministers had created unnecessary confusion and disruption with its inconsistency.