On Saturday, a ‘last-minute’ decision had been revealed that those travelling from Spain and its islands into the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, would now be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Speaking about the changes Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann explained, “The decision to remove Spain from the exempt list was not taken lightly. 

“I have always said I will move swiftly and take the necessary action to ensure our citizens are protected. I have spoken with my counterparts across the UK today and we agree that the recent upsurge in new positive cases in different parts of Spain are a cause for concern.

“Anyone returning or visiting Northern Ireland from Spain, including its islands will be required to quarantine for 14 days. I will continue to monitor the situation in Spain and other countries and make the changes to the regulations when necessary.”

The sudden news has came as a shock to local holidaymakers in Spain, many of whom feel they have been given very little notice that such requirements would go ahead. One local woman and her husband had booked a short break to Spain on a whim, with hopes that their days of lockdown where “far behind them”.

Speaking to the Herald, she said, “We had travelled out on Friday and there hadn’t been so much as a whisper that rules would change so quickly. 

“Nothing was mentioned to us on our way over or on our first night, until I received a text from a family member back home and I investigated things further.”

Speaking on the impact that the new 14 day quarantine regulation would have on normal life once they return, she explained, “Thankfully both me and my husband have been working from home since the very beginning of lockdown. 

“We were just talking about how fortunate we are also that our three kids all live out of home. I don’t know what way that would have worked out if we returned home to a house full of kids, would they have needed to quarantine with us in fear of passing something on to their friends? Or, God forbid, miss out on work? It’s scary times indeed.”