Police at the door and staff in masks: Welcome to life under lockdown at Tenerife's 'coronavirus hotel'

Guests have been sharing details of life in the hotel in Tenerife since it was locked down following a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Health authorities on the island confirmed late on Monday that an Italian doctor from Lombardy in northern Italy, which as seen a spike in coronavirus cases, had tested positive to Covid-19. He and his wife had been holidaying at the hotel after arriving in Tenerife four days ago.

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Most guests first learnt that something was amiss at the H10 Costa Adeje Palacewhen they awoke to find a piece of paper had been slipped underneath their door.

The note informed to stay confined to their rooms for “health reasons” and to wait for further news.

Some ignored the note and with rumbling stomachs wandered down to the breakfast buffet to find out more.

Others turned to the internet and a quick search revealed the worst of their suspicions: a guest from the hotel had tested positive to the coronavirus and the hotel was on lock down.

British tourist Chris Betts filmed a video explaining what was happening  inside the hotel. He confirmed guests had been allowed to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant this morning but were otherwise told to stay in their rooms. 

'We can see from the window there are security officers outside the hotel and about 50 hotel employees,' he said. 

The hotel seems to be acting normally, except that we cannot go out, either front or back."There are police cars stationed at all entrances, and at the side entrance."

Footage from inside the hotel showed guest milling around the grand reception area where security staff, and those behind the reception desk and an information table were wearing masks.

“They have been issued with face masks, but we're told the hotel hasn't got any for guests at this time.,” said Betts in a video posted on twitter:

Some, however already had them in their possession after purchasing them during a sandstorm that swept in over the Canary Islands at the weekend.

Among them were Jayney Brown and her friend Elaine Whitewick, who complained that a lack of information teamed with a lack of provision was causes nerves to fray.

“We've had no food or anything. I think I feel a little bit in shock, I've not really reacted yet, I tend to go into practical mode,” Brown told The Mirror

'We have got four bottles of water in our mini fridge but other than that, no one has contacted us or anything.'  

“I'm feeling a little bit scared but I'm more of a practical person really."

Meanwhile fellow guests David Hoon and Pamela Scott, voiced their fear that they would catch the coronavirus while trapped in the hotel.

'The hotel is like a ghost house and my fear is that by trapping us inside it, we stand more chance of catching the coronavirus. This whole thing is very worrying,” Hoon told MailOnline.

Some guests spotted sunbathing poolside despite the lockdown at the hotel in Tenerife. Photo: AFP

Some guests were pictured sunbathing poolside on Tuesday afternoon, while others stared out from balconies outside their hotel rooms. 

There has been no indication as yet as to how long the guests will be forced to stay in the hotel but those that were due to fly home on Tuesday have been prevented from doing so.

The only official statement from the hotel group so far gave no clue as to the plan going forward.

A spokesman at H10 Hotels headquarters in Barcelona said: "Due to the presence of a possible case of coronavirus detected in a guest from Italy who has been staying at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel, H10 Hotels is cooperating closely with the health authorities and has activated all the health and operational measures recommended by them to guarantee the security of its guests and employees."

It added: "It is also making sure guests and employees receive all the assistance and care they need."

Are you a guest at the hotel? Get in touch with news@thelocal.es and share your experience.