Elderly Wigan holidaymaker is returning home from Tenerife after week-long covid-19 hotel lockdown

Having feared he and fellow guests would be confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in La Caleta for at least another week, there were rapid developments over the weekend for Alan Cunliffe.

The 82-year-old from Whelley was swab-tested for the virus on Sunday and received the good news on Monday morning that the result was negative.

Now he and other holidaymakers who hadn't been allowed to leave the hotel grounds since the weekend before last, are travelling to the airport to catch a Jet2 plane back to Manchester at 2pm.

Once back in England, they will be bussed back to their respective homes.

There is no need for them to be quarantined again at Arrowe Park Hospital on The Wirral, but they are expected to self-isolate for a week, just in case they catch covid-19 en route home.

Alan was unable to communicate directly with wigantoday because one of the consequences of his over-stay has been that his hearing aid batteries have run flat.

But a fellow holidaymaker who answered his phone said: "He is in fine form and delighted to be going home, especially as it's sooner than we expected."

This was the retired builder's first holiday since losing his wife Mildred at the end of last year and it was aimed at helping him come to terms with his bereavement and find some peace.

Yet while the first of his planned two weeks on the Canary island, the resort was then battered by a Saharan sandstorm and then, last Monday, was quarantined after an Italian doctor who had been staying there tested positive for covid-19.

For three days Alan was confined to his room with rudimentary meals left at his door. Then the rules were relaxed a little so people could eat in the restaurant again and walk around the hotel precincts, while gloves, masks and hand gel were distributed.

Travel operator Jet2holidays said on Monday that its customers at the hotel will return to the UK in the afternoon.

It is understood that a number of other hotel guests were flown back on Sunday evening after testing negative for coronavirus.

A Jet2holidays spokeswoman said: "We are pleased to confirm that Jet2holidays customers at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace will be flying back to the UK with us on a dedicated flight this afternoon, following their negative test results for Covid-19 and subject to them showing no symptoms on departure."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was working closely with authorities in Spain to ensure that Britons who do not have coronavirus can fly home.

It is understood that Spanish authorities are testing British guests at the hotel, with those producing negative results able to take a flight back over the next 24 hours.

An FCO spokesman said: "If you are travelling with a tour operator, you need to contact them. If you are an independent traveller, you will need to ensure you plan enough time to get your test result before you fly."

Prof Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England (PHE), said on Saturday that any individuals who have returned from the coronavirus-hit hotel are advised to self-isolate until March 10.

She said: "If they develop symptoms in that time, they should call NHS 111 and they will be tested for Covid-19."

Spanish authorities have said that the risk of infection for any Britons staying at the hotel is low, according to PHE.

A Jet2holidays spokeswoman said: "As we have made explicitly clear, our number one priority is the health and safety of our customers, our colleagues, and the general public.

"We have been working closely with the FCO, Public Health England and the hotel to find a solution which ensured the best outcome for our customers in the hotel, whilst making sure we fulfilled those responsibilities."

The FCO said hotel guests should contact the medical testing team to book an appointment and inform the Foreign Office of their flight number by calling 0034 928 262 508.

Some guests staying at the hotel in the south west of the Spanish island have previously criticised the quarantine measures.

Alan previously told wigantoday: "This has been quite an experience, one way or another.

"I think a different man will be leaving the resort that arrived at it. I was so used to doing everything with my wife. Now I have had to stand on my own two feet and be independent. I've learnt the hard way."