UK holidaymakers on the Canary Islands have hit out at new quarantine rules that have disrupted their Christmas plans.
People arriving in the UK from the popular Spanish islands from 4am on Saturday must self-isolate for 14 days.
Tour operator Tui said it has around 5,000 UK holidaymakers on the islands, with a further 800 booked to fly out on Friday morning.
The Canary Islands were removed from the UK’s travel corridors list on Thursday due to a rise in the positivity rate for coronavirus tests.
This quarantine period can be shortened for people arriving in England from Dec 15 if they pay to take a coronavirus test at least five days after they land, and receive a negative result.
Steve Hay, from Bournemouth, arrived on Lanzarote on Thursday for a seven-day break with his family, costing more than £2,000.
He told the PA news agency they were “looking at options” because self-isolating for 14 days on their return would taken them up to Dec 31, and mean they could not socialise with people outside their household over Christmas.
He added: “I think it’s shocking and doesn’t appear much thought has gone into it. Why is it being implemented so quick? This only gives us tomorrow [Friday] to get back.
“I think it’s crazy and the Canaries cannot be looked at as a whole, each island should be rated.”
