ARGUS readers have questioned how quarantine will be enforced after the UK removed Spain from its list of safe countries over a coronavirus spike.

The Government had set up an “air bridge” policy for destinations which did not require holidaymakers to self-isolate when returning to Sussex from their travels.

But from midnight last night, all tourists returning from Spain will have to self-isolate for 14 days over coronavirus fears.

It has led holiday firms such as Tui to cancel Spanish holiday packages.

British Airways is still operating flights but said the move was “throwing thousands of Britons’ travel plans into chaos”.

The Government advice over Spain follows a rise in coronavirus cases in the country and there are fears thousands of Brits will not be prepared for a quarantine when they return.

Responding to the news, reader Heather Pullen said: “Spain is one of the strictest countries in the world for wearing face coverings so how are they suddenly getting spikes? Could it be that face coverings don’t work?

“As for the reintroduction of quarantine, the same questions apply. Who is going to enforce it?

“There are going to be hundreds if not thousands of people returning that didn’t have time to prepare before they went. I can foresee lots of supermarket visits before they get home.”

Andy Maclay said: “The madness in all this is that there are pockets of Spain that are concerning, not the whole bloody country. It’s like Spain doing the same to us because of Leicester and Blackburn.”

Meanwhile Christine Williams said: “Just stay home this year and travel around our country. We’ve changed all our [holiday plans] until next year.”

Spanish authorities reported the biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections since the end of the country’s lockdown.

In Catalonia, tourist spots such as Barcelona and Lleida have become contagion hot zones, with a crackdown on nightlife to curb infections.

The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Spain.

Meanwhile, airline easyJet said it planned to operate its full schedule in the coming days.

A spokeswoman said: “Customers who no longer wish to travel can transfer their flights without a change fee or receive a voucher for the value of the booking.

“Should any flights be cancelled for later in August, customers will be notified and informed of their options which includes transferring to an alternative flight free of charge, receiving a voucher or applying for a refund.”

News of the change for Spanish travel could hit the airline industry which has already been badly damaged by the coronavirus lockdown and restrictions on tourism.

An online interactive map on The Argus website shows which countries tourists can still visit as part of the “air bridges” policy.

But reader Kitty Rosen said: “Be careful, the air bridge might change before you get home and you’ll spend two weeks in quarantine.”