THE government’s sudden decision to impose mandatory quarantine for people returning from Spain was branded “nothing short of chaotic” by Labour on Tuesday.

Prime Minster Boris Johnson sparked a diplomatic row with the Spanish government after warning against all but essential travel to the country, including its popular resort islands.

His sudden decision that travellers returning to Britain must spend a fortnight in quarantine follows an increase in coronavirus cases in Spain.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez described the British restrictions on travel as an “error,” adding that most new cases of Covid-19 are in the regions of Catalonia and Aragon.

He also said: “In most of Spain, the incidence is very much inferior to even the numbers registered in the United Kingdom.”

The Spanish government had been urging Britain to exclude the Canary and the Balearic islands — the latter including Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca — from its quarantine requirements.

But instead, official travel advice was tightened to bring the islands into line with the Spanish mainland.

Madrid has complained that the British government had given it no warning that the new quarantine rule would come into force last weekend.

Tourists were told that they could avoid quarantine if they returned by 11pm on Saturday.

Tourists in, or travelling to, Spain were left in the lurch. 

Those caught up in the chaos included Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who has been involved in drawing up the “air corridor” plans for travelling during the pandemic.

Labour said the government must ensure that the change in quarantine rules does not lead to mass job losses.

Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon slammed the “chaotic” decision and urged the government to introduce sectoral support for struggling businesses so that they can retain staff who have to comply with public health rules such as quarantine and self-isolation.

In the face of the criticism, Mr Johnson insisted that the government would not hesitate to take similar action if further coronavirus spikes occurred elsewhere.

He added: “We will continue, throughout the summer, to take such action where it is necessary.”

The move has dealt a further blow to the travel industry, which was already suffering huge losses due to the lockdown.