THE government’s sudden decision to take Spain off the Covid-19 safe list had left holidaymakers “confused and distressed,” shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said today.

His comments came after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that the government would not apologise for reimposing strict quarantine rules at short notice on travellers returning from Spain. 

Ministers announced on Saturday that holidaymakers who had not returned from Spain and its islands by midnight would be forced to quarantine for 14 days.

The timing of the announcement was criticised by the travel sector and consumer-rights groups, but Mr Raab said that the government was right to take “swift” action.

The change even caught out Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who is on holiday in Spain and will join thousands of others in being forced to self-isolate on his return.

The decision came after Spain recorded more than 900 new daily Covid-19 cases for two days running.

Mr Ashworth told Sky News: “I understand why they’ve made the decision but, of course, the way in which this decision has been made in the last 24 hours is frankly shambolic.

“There are holidaymakers in Spain at the moment confused and distressed, there are people about to go on holiday to Spain and the islands like Tenerife who are confused.

“They don’t know whether their employers will allow them to take two weeks’ quarantine. The government is just saying: ‘We hope that employers co-operate’.”

He urged the government to provide clarity on whether those who are asked to quarantine will get financial support if employers refuse it them.

Mr Ashworth said: “The way in which this decision has been communicated is obviously causing anxiety.”