Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said a state of emergency would be come into effect in the country today (Picture: Jet2/Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Flightradar24)

All Jet2 flights from the UK to Spain have been cancelled, as the number of coronavirus cases in the southwestern European country rises by 1,500 in 24 hours.

Planes were forced to turn back in mid-air this morning as all Jet2 flights from Britain to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands were cancelled ‘with immediate effect’.

The move came just over an hour before Spanish health officials announced the infected toll had risen to more than 5,700.

A statement from Jet2 said: ‘In response to local measures introduced throughout Spain to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including the closure of bars, restaurants, shops, and activities including any water sports, we have taken the decision to cancel all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect.


More than 60,000 people in four towns are on lockdown in Spain (Picture: SWNS)

In a statement, Jet2 urged customers not to call (Picture: Jet2)

‘We know these local measures will have a significant impact on our customers’ holidays, which is why we have taken this decision.



‘We are contacting our customers who are currently in these destinations, and who are due to travel, to advise them of their options, so we urge customers not to call us.

‘This is a fast-moving and complex situation and we are reviewing our programme as a matter of urgency, so that we can fly customers back to the UK.

‘The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority, and we would like to thank our customers for their understanding.’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared a 15-day state of emergency will come into effect on Saturday, with 60,000 people in four towns already on a mandatory lockdown.

Flights turned around mid-air this morning after the announcement (Picture: Flightradar24)

Passengers wearing masks line up as they wait to check in at Barcelona airport (Picture: AP)

The first of three stages of emergency – a ‘state of alert’ – will mobilise the military and give the government wide-ranging powers, including the ability to confine people and order evacuations.

Europe is now the ‘centre of the coronavirus pandemic’, with Italy the worst-hit country, seeing more than 17,500 cases.

The Foreign Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to Italy.

Officials advise against all but essential travel to the Spanish regions of Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria (both in the Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (in Castilla y León).

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