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Dept of Health issues coronavirus guidance for recent arrivals from nine destinations
New Department of Health guidance has been issued, urging anyone recently arrived in the UK from nine places, including popular tourist destinations, to seek help if they feel ill.
Recent arrivals are being advised to self-isolate if they show any symptoms on a list, however mild.
The countries and territories named by the DoH are mainland China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Macau.
The update has been issued on advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
It comes as a third person in the UK has been diagnosed with the virus. It is believed he caught it in Singapore.
The DoH warning says: "Based on the scientific advice of SAGE the UK Chief Medical Officers are advising anyone who has travelled to the UK from in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.
"These areas have been identified because of the volume of air travel from affected areas, understanding of other travel routes and number of reported cases.
"This list will be kept under review.
"As of February 5, a total of 566 UK tests have concluded, of which 563 were confirmed negative and three positive."
It adds: "We have been working in close collaboration with international colleagues and the World Health Organization to monitor the situation in China and around the world."
Updated data will be published daily by the DoH until further notice.
Latest figures reveal 636 people have died from coronavirus and 31,000 are infected.
Among the dead are a Chinese doctor who tried to raise the alarm in the early stages of the outbreak, but who was accused by Chinese authorities of spreading rumours.
A British man, believed to be on his honeymoon, is confirmed to be among 41 new coronavirus cases on board a Princess Cruises ship quarantined off the coast of Japan. Another ship, operated by an Asian cruise line, is quarantined at a Hong Kong Port.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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