Spanish beach campsite is put in lockdown with 250 tourists barred from leaving after two holidaymakers test positive for coronavirus
- The Talai Mendi campsite in Zarautz, on Basque coast, had two confirmed cases
- It was immediately shut after one person came down with the deadly bug
- Tests have been ordered on all 250 residents including children who are inside
A Spanish beach campsite has been put in lockdown with 250 tourists barred from leaving after two holidaymakers tested positive for coronavirus.
The Talai Mendi campsite in Zarautz, on the Spanish Basque coast, was immediately shut after one person came down with the deadly bug.
A second person tested positive shortly after and tests have now been ordered on all 250 mostly-young people – including children – inside.
Police have been called in to prevent anyone from entering or leaving without permission.
A spanish beach campsite in Zarautz has been put in lockdown with 250 tourists barred from leaving after two holidaymakers tested positive for coronavirus. Pictured: Police outside the campsite
The Talai Mendi campsite in Zarautz, on the Spanish Basque coast (file image of town, pictured), was immediately shut after one person came down with the deadly bug
The camp site had only just reopened after the coronavirus lockdown when the first diagnosis was confirmed.
Medics started the tests yesterday and it is hoped the first results will come through today.
Tourists will then be given the choice of either going home or staying inside the closed campsite to quarantine for between seven and 14 days.
The Mayor of Zarautz, Xabier Txurruka said most of the clients were young people, including children, because of the popularity of the location and he ‘didn’t think there were many tourists from outside the region’.
Police have been called in to prevent anyone from entering or leaving without permission. Pictured: Police outside the campsite
However, it has not been specified where the 250 people come from or their nationality.
Staff at the campsite are also being tested. The bar and restaurants inside have been closed but local hotels and cafes are helping out by sending in food for the tourists.
One of the few people who was able to leave was a cook living in Zarautz
She told local media: ‘It took us all by surprise. Once my workday was over, I was supposed to leave at 3pm but couldn’t take the test until 6pm.
The Talai Mendi campsite in Zarautz (file image of the town), on the Spanish Basque coast, was immediately shut after one person came down with the deadly bug
‘Those of us from here have been allowed to leave but the rest must stay in the campsite. The results should be announced on Thursday morning. Let’s see what happens.’
Locals said they were very worried that the incident might lead to an outbreak in the region as infected campers could have unknowingly visited bars and restaurants during their stay.
It is understood one of the two positive readings was a young woman on holiday from outside the area.
The campsite is a favourite with Brits who have praised its facilities on TripAdvisor, with one UK visitor posting: ‘Very easy to find, high up on a hillock with sweeping views of the ocean and the beaches.’
The campsite’s website this morning showed ‘temporarily closed’