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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Grant Shapps to return early from Spain to quarantine | Grant Shapps to return early from Spain to quarantine |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The transport secretary is leaving a family holiday in Spain early to return to the UK, after quarantine restrictions came into force. | The transport secretary is leaving a family holiday in Spain early to return to the UK, after quarantine restrictions came into force. |
| Grant Shapps said he would come home on Wednesday so he can "get through quarantine" as quickly as possible and return to work. | Grant Shapps said he would come home on Wednesday so he can "get through quarantine" as quickly as possible and return to work. |
| He added he wanted to help the government "handle the situation". | He added he wanted to help the government "handle the situation". |
| He flew out on Saturday morning aware that the 14-day quarantine rule could be imposed on Sunday. | He flew out on Saturday morning aware that the 14-day quarantine rule could be imposed on Sunday. |
| It's understood Mr Shapps had originally decided to press ahead with his holiday and then quarantine on his return to the UK, to avoid a possible public backlash. | It's understood Mr Shapps had originally decided to press ahead with his holiday and then quarantine on his return to the UK, to avoid a possible public backlash. |
| In a statement, he added: "I've been in constant contact with officials and industry representatives since I arrived in Spain on Saturday afternoon. | In a statement, he added: "I've been in constant contact with officials and industry representatives since I arrived in Spain on Saturday afternoon. |
| "However, I think it's right to get back to work in the UK as soon as possible in order to help handle the situation." | "However, I think it's right to get back to work in the UK as soon as possible in order to help handle the situation." |
| On Monday evening, the Foreign Office said it now advised against all non-essential travel to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. | On Monday evening, the Foreign Office said it now advised against all non-essential travel to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. |
| Earlier, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said he had decided to cancel a planned holiday to the Balearic Islands. | |
| 'The right thing' | 'The right thing' |
| "I know there will be other people who'll be much worse affected than me, and I do strongly sympathise with the situation in which they find themselves," Mr Gove said. | "I know there will be other people who'll be much worse affected than me, and I do strongly sympathise with the situation in which they find themselves," Mr Gove said. |
| "But we all recognise that public health comes first," he added. | "But we all recognise that public health comes first," he added. |
| "Whilst self-isolation for 14 days can be difficult, everyone will want to do the right thing." | "Whilst self-isolation for 14 days can be difficult, everyone will want to do the right thing." |
| Quarantine measures apply to all those returning from mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, such as Majorca and Ibiza. | Quarantine measures apply to all those returning from mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, such as Majorca and Ibiza. |
| It is not known where Mr Shapps is staying. | It is not known where Mr Shapps is staying. |
| Ministers discussed the rising infection rate in parts of Spain on Friday night. | Ministers discussed the rising infection rate in parts of Spain on Friday night. |
| Spike in cases | Spike in cases |
| Once in Spain, Mr Shapps took part in a meeting with other UK ministers at which it was agreed to impose the restrictions. | Once in Spain, Mr Shapps took part in a meeting with other UK ministers at which it was agreed to impose the restrictions. |
| The requirement came into force on Sunday. | The requirement came into force on Sunday. |
| More than 900 cases of coronavirus were reported in Spain on Friday, and the country's officials are warning of fears of a second spike. | More than 900 cases of coronavirus were reported in Spain on Friday, and the country's officials are warning of fears of a second spike. |
| Another Tory MP, Minister for London Paul Scully, has been affected by the changes. | Another Tory MP, Minister for London Paul Scully, has been affected by the changes. |
| The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed Mr Scully was in Lanzarote and would be isolating on his return to the UK. | The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed Mr Scully was in Lanzarote and would be isolating on his return to the UK. |