Spain welcomes UK tourists despite being marked as 'amber' country

Spain is rolling out the welcome mat for UK tourists after officials in Madrid lifted restrictions on travel in a bid to boost the country's economy despite being on Downing Street’s amber list.

Being on the amber list means that people should only go to Spain or other countries with the same designation for essential family and business reasons and will be required to quarantine for 10 days upon their return.

Yet Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said last week: "Spain will be delighted, very delighted to welcome all British tourists.

"They are welcome to our country without restrictions and without health requirements."

Holidaymakers keen to visit countries on the government's amber list such as Spain, France, Greece and Italy have been urged by Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, not to go and show "more patience".

Business minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan told Sky News on Monday: "The prime minister has been clear that, for now, amber means please don't go unless there is an urgent family reason and so on.

"Because we are still trying to slowly move through our roadmap to being able to open up on 21 June and we want to do that in a steady and careful way."