British are told: “Stay away from stages”

The event is a traditional favourite with British fans, attracted by cheap accommodation and bargain air fares.

But even if they reach northern Spain, police checkpoints have been instructed to keep an 'exclusion zone' clear of all British- and French-registered vehicles. Event organisers are concerned that aggrieved farmers might use machinery and vehicles to block the rally route entirely.

A prepared statement read: "Two days before the event, the Catalan Police will be requested to inspect all the cars and motorhomes with British and French licence plates that may be potential carriers of the disease parked in the risk zone and ask them to leave.

"Press notes will be sent to the different clubs and organisations in the countries considered to have a higher risk of infection (GB and France), asking their fans to abstain themselves from attending the Rallye Catalunya-Costa Brava."