Saturday, Spain reported four cases of the new COVID-19 strain which emerged from Britain. The cases were recorded in Madrid.

All four cases involved people who recently arrived from the United Kingdom, the Madrid regional government’s deputy health chief Antonio Zapatero announced.

"The patients are not seriously ill, we know that this strain is more transmissible, but it does not cause more serious illness," he said.

He indicated that there were three other cases suspected of contracting the mutated strain, however, their test results will be available on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The new strain of coronavirus has imposed new health and safety restrictions on more than 50 countries, including Spain.

Since Tuesday, Madrid has suspended all flights from the UK except for Spanish nationals and residents.