Spain placed four towns under quarantine and announced measures to tackle the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic, which the country’s hoteliers described as a “tsunami” threatening the survival of their businesses.

Catalan authorities began locking down four towns around the village of Igualada - 49 km north of Barcelona - after a significant outbreak in the area.

Access to Igualada, Vilanova del Cami, Santa Margarida de Montbui and Odena is blocked, the first such restriction imposed in Spain since the outbreak began. A Catalan government spokesman said around 70 000 people would be affected by the quarantine.

Spain, which initially did little in response to the outbreak, changed tack this week after infections soared. It ordered a ban on flights from Italy and warned against domestic and foreign travel.

Schools and universities will be closed across the country for at least two weeks, while the prison service cut back visiting rights across its facilities.