Spain's northeastern Catalonia region has locked down an area with around 200,000 residents near the town of Lerida following a surge in cases of the new coronavirus.

The move came as the summer holiday started in Spain and the country began re-admitting foreign visitors from 12 countries outside the European union.

“We have decided to confine the del Segria zone following data confirming a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections,” Catalonia's regional president Quim Torra told reporters, adding that no one would be allowed to enter or leave the area.