The UK's biggest tour operator Tui said it had cancelled all flights due to depart to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands today (Sunday).

Andrew Flintham, managing director of TUI UK & Ireland, said the company would contact customers to arrange refunds or rebookings.

Customers currently on holiday will be able to return on their intended flight home, he said.

Mr Flintham added: "We're incredibly disappointed that we didn't get more notice of this announcement, or that this decision wasn't made yesterday, as many Brits travel on holiday at the weekend.

"We also look to understand why quarantine has been issued for a whole country, including the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, when the travel advice isn't aligned (only applying to mainland Spain). It demonstrates why clear regional travel corridors need to be considered.

"The health and safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority and welcome travel advice that protects those that holiday with us.

"However, the UK Government must work closely with the travel industry as this level of uncertainty and confusion is damaging for business and disappointing for those looking forward to a well-deserved break."

The UK has removed Spain from its list of safe countries to travel to after fears were raised that the European country was experiencing a second wave of coronavirus infections.

It means those returning from the country will have to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return to the UK.

Here is what it means for holidaymakers:

  • When will holidaymakers have to self-isolate?

The measures will come into effect from midnight tonight, meaning that from Sunday all returning travellers will be have to isolate for 14 days.

The quarantine applies to people returning to any of the four nations of the UK - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • Why is it being brought in now?

The Government said the move follows a "significant change" over the last week in both the level and pace of change in confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Spain.

The country has reported more than 900 new daily infections for the past two days.

Catalonia became the latest region to crack down on nightlife, trying to halt new infection clusters.

The wealthy north-east region - home to Barcelona - ordered all nightclubs to close for 15 days and put a midnight curfew on bars in the greater Barcelona area and other towns around Lleida that have become contagion hot zones.

  • What should people do if they are already in Spain?

People currently on holiday in Spain have been encouraged to follow the local rules, return home as normal and check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) travel advice pages on gov.uk for further information.

The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time.

  • What should holidaymakers do if they have a holiday booked to Spain?

The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain.

Holiday operator Tui has said it will cancel all planned holidays to Spain in response to the announcement and customers will be contacted to discuss options.

Abta - the UK's travel trade association - has advised customers due to travel to the country imminently to contact their travel provider.

Meanwhile, airline easyJet said it planned to operate its full schedule in the coming days.

A spokeswoman said: "Customers who no longer wish to travel can transfer their flights without a change fee or receive a voucher for the value of the booking.

"Should any flights be cancelled for later in August customers will be notified and informed of their options which includes transferring to an alternative flight free of charge, receiving a voucher or applying for a refund."

  •  Does the quarantine apply if the holidaymaker has been to a Spanish island?

Quarantine measures will apply to those returning from mainland Spain, the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa) and the Balearic Islands, such as Mallorca and Ibiza, the Department for Transport confirmed.