British tourists have been left disappointed by a UK government decision that requires all people returning from Spain to self-isolate for 14 days.
The abrupt reversal followed a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Spain, where authorities reported more than 900 new infections on both Thursday and Friday.
Joe Allen, 32, a TV producer from London who is currently in Madrid with some friends on a short visit, told CNN that the British government’s handling of the U-turn appeared “heavy-handed.”
Although he acknowledged that the change was made for “sensible” reasons, Allen said its “execution could have done with some work.” He suggested that the government could have allowed those tourists already in Spain to return without needing to self-isolate, adding that he will most likely lose work as a result of the decision.
Emily Harrison, a holidaymaker from Essex, also expressed her frustration at the government’s announcement.
Before catching a flight back to London from Madrid airport, Harrison told Reuters that the news was “really quite upsetting,” as she would no longer be able to attend a wedding on her return.
