Brits now have to wear face masks on the beach in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria

FACE masks must now be worn on the beaches across Tenerife and Lanzarote as the regional government reinforces coronavirus safety regulations.

Tourists are also being warned to wear them when around swimming pools on the Canary Islandsas part of the new compulsory order which makes the wearing of face masks compulsory in all public places.

The Canaries had been one of the few places in Spain not to enforce the regulation but this changed yesterday when a new raft of rules was introduced to try and curb new outbreaks of coronavirus on the islands.

Spain's coronavirus situation has seen rising cases – currently at 358,843 infections – which led to the country being placed on the UK quarantine list on July 26.

Masks have to be worn when accessing or walking along the beaches and the coasts but not if sitting still in one spot or when in the water.

The archipelago added more than 100 coronavirus infections on Friday for the second consecutive day.

This is the highest number of positives since the peak of the epidemic curve was reached in the last week of March but the difference is that around 800 coronavirus tests are being carried out daily.

It is now mandatory for everyone over six years to wear a mask, on public roads, in outdoor spaces and in any closed place, or that is open to the public, regardless of the maintenance of the interpersonal safety distance of 1.5 meters.

In the hotel and catering establishments and services, including bars and cafeterias, masks have to be worn except when physically eating or drinking.

"The owners of the establishments, spaces and premises must guarantee compliance," said a government spokesman.

The Canary government is also warning that masks must be worn in the proper way.

They must cover the nose and mouth completely at all times and go under the chin to make sure no droplets are released into the air.

When can I go on holiday to Spain?

The UK currently advises against all non-essential travel to Spain, which includes the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.

All Brits will face a two-week quarantine when returning to the UK from Spain after a holiday.

These rules have been in place since July 26 (with the islands following on July 27) due to the rising number of cases.

Holidaymakers who wish to take the risk can still travel on limited flights, although their travel insurance will be invalid and they face £1,000 fines if they break the 14-day self-isolation period back in the UK.

There are no current plans from the UK government to lift the travel ban, with it unlikely until new infections begin to fall again.

Smoking has also been banned in public, with all indoor bars and clubs stopped from opening as well.

The islands' leaders say there has been a significant increase in cases of Covid-19 in the archipelago in the last week, especially in those under 30 years of age and linked to nightlife.

A government spokesperson explained: "On July 31, there were 15 active outbreaks in the Canary Islands, involving 157 confirmed cases and more than 500 close contacts identified and quarantined.

"In other words, in two weeks the number of people being traced for outbreaks has increased by 50 per cent.

"Faced with this situation, the Governing Council has decided to adopt new restrictive measures proportional to the risk and aimed at those areas or sectors in which the risk of transmission must be reduced."

Face masks are becoming mandatory in public in a number of holiday hotspots.

Regions of France, such as Paris and Toulouse, have enforced them on busy streets while only disposable masks are allowed on French flights.

Italy has followed suit with face covering restrictions in place for public spaces.

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