Coronavirus: Boris Johnson warns Europe of second wave amid Spain row

Boris Johnson has warned there are signs of a second wave of coronavirus in Europe, as he defended a 14-day quarantine on travellers from Spain.

The PM said the government had to be "swift" - and it would continue to take further action "where it is necessary".

It comes after the Spanish prime minister called the UK's decision to change the rules for Spain "unjust".

Pedro Sánchez said tourists in most regions in Spain would be safer from coronavirus than in the UK.

The UK is advising against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. It also removed Spain and its islands from the list of countries which are exempt from the 14-day quarantine rule.

Meanwhile, Germany has also advised against travel to three areas of Spain.

Speaking during a visit to Nottinghamshire, Mr Johnson said: "What we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again.

"Let's be absolutely clear about what's happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I'm afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic."

'Stick with guidance'

Asked about reports that the 14-day period could be reduced - as reported by the Daily Telegraph - Mr Johnson said "we are always looking at ways in which we can mitigate the impact of the quarantine".

"At the moment you have got to stick with the guidance that we are giving, we have given the guidance now about Spain and about some other places around the world."

When asked whether the 14-day quarantine period could be cut, transport minister Baroness Vere said the government was "looking at a range of options" including "testing people on certain days" after they arrive.

Ministers are also "certainly looking" at the idea of restrictions on travel to regions rather than whole countries, she said.

Johnson said if the UK did see signs of a second wave in other countries, it was the government's duty to stop travellers returning and spreading the disease.

"It's vital that when people are coming back from abroad, if they are coming back from a place where I'm afraid there is another outbreak, they must go into quarantine," he said.

"That's why we have taken the action that we have and we will continue, throughout the summer, to take such action where it is necessary."

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon echoed Mr Johnson's concerns, saying "we are currently seeing a worrying resurgence of Covid" in European countries.

She warned potential travellers not to assume quarantine measures would remain the same at the time of booking a holiday as when they returned, adding: "I wouldn't be booking a foreign holiday right now."