Coronavirus has swept the globe, with Spain becoming the latest country to see a rapid growth in infection. In the last 24 hours, the number of sufferers has doubled, hitting 1,050 at the time of writing.
According to Bloomberg, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “We want the plan to be efficient and adjusted to the magnitude of the problem.
“The existing information suggests that in our country the crisis will have a negative impact, just as it will in the international arena.”
Those who purchased a travel insurance policy at the time of booking their travel plans should be protected against any sudden changes to travel recommendations.
Should the FCO advise against all travel to the region, travel insurance policies will offer momentary protection against cancelled plans.
However, this only works if you bought your travel insurance before any advisories are put in place.
“Most travel insurance policies will cover you if the FCO has told you not to travel to a country,” said Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.
Martin added: “The sooner you’re travelling, it’s easy to look at the level of contamination in the country and what their health care is.”
Many airlines, including British Airways, are also offering flexibility for passengers who make bookings amid the coronavirus panic.
They are allowing passengers to cancel or reschedule for no additional charge between certain dates while the virus rages on.
One of Spain’s largest tourists spots, Tenerife in the Canary Islands, saw an outbreak at a popular hotel.
The disease was initially discovered at the hotel after an Italian doctor tested positive for COVID-19.
It was later revealed that his wife, too, was suffering from the sickness.
A British tourist who was in the hospital with the virus has since been discharged after twice testing negative for the virus.
Meanwhile, the group of Italians currently remain isolated in hospital.
Hotel guests were also placed into a temporary quarantine where they would be routinely checked for the virus.
The FCO adds: “The Spanish authorities are dealing with confirmed cases of coronavirus in the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in Tenerife. If you’re in this hotel, you should follow the advice of the local authorities.”
