This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51176409

The article has changed 94 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 56 Version 57
Coronavirus: Can I still walk my dog? And other questions Coronavirus: Can I still walk my dog? And other questions
(about 7 hours later)
The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the number of people infected with Covid-19 across the globe will reach a million within days. More than 2,900 people have now died from the disease in the UK. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus across the globe has reached one million. More than 2,900 people have now died from the disease in the UK.
Here are the answers to some of the most common readers' questions about the current situation.Here are the answers to some of the most common readers' questions about the current situation.
Can I walk my dog under the category of daily exercise? - James Leslie, Burgess HillCan I walk my dog under the category of daily exercise? - James Leslie, Burgess Hill
Yes you can.Yes you can.
According to government advice for people with animals, if you have a dog that needs walking, you should count this as the one form of exercise you take every day.According to government advice for people with animals, if you have a dog that needs walking, you should count this as the one form of exercise you take every day.
It's important that you should remain 2m away from anyone outside your household while walking your dog.It's important that you should remain 2m away from anyone outside your household while walking your dog.
There is no guidance from the government on whether your dog should be on a lead, but some parks, including The Royal Parks, insist on this as a rule, to help ensure people maintain social distance.There is no guidance from the government on whether your dog should be on a lead, but some parks, including The Royal Parks, insist on this as a rule, to help ensure people maintain social distance.
As well as your daily exercise, you may also leave the house to care for a vulnerable person, and this care may involve walking their dog.As well as your daily exercise, you may also leave the house to care for a vulnerable person, and this care may involve walking their dog.
When you do this, you should always remember to wash your hands before and after handling the dog, and remain 2m away from the owner.When you do this, you should always remember to wash your hands before and after handling the dog, and remain 2m away from the owner.
How long does the virus live on different surfaces? A friend gets my paper and shopping, and I have meals delivered - how do I unpack? - Mrs Rye, CreweHow long does the virus live on different surfaces? A friend gets my paper and shopping, and I have meals delivered - how do I unpack? - Mrs Rye, Crewe
Covid-19 is primarily spread in tiny droplets released from the nose and mouth of an infected person as they cough. The most common way for the virus to be transmitted appears to be through close contact with an infected person.Covid-19 is primarily spread in tiny droplets released from the nose and mouth of an infected person as they cough. The most common way for the virus to be transmitted appears to be through close contact with an infected person.
However, evidence suggests the virus can live for an extended time outside of the body, including on surfaces. If you touch a contaminated surface and then your nose or mouth, there's a possibility you could become infected.However, evidence suggests the virus can live for an extended time outside of the body, including on surfaces. If you touch a contaminated surface and then your nose or mouth, there's a possibility you could become infected.
A study published last month suggests the virus survives longest on plastic and stainless steel surfaces - up to two to three days - and can live for up to 24 hours on cardboard. However, over that time the virus is likely to become less powerful.A study published last month suggests the virus survives longest on plastic and stainless steel surfaces - up to two to three days - and can live for up to 24 hours on cardboard. However, over that time the virus is likely to become less powerful.
Where possible, it is a good idea to either disinfect the packaging with kitchen spray or discard it before washing your hands with soap and water.Where possible, it is a good idea to either disinfect the packaging with kitchen spray or discard it before washing your hands with soap and water.
For items like a newspaper that can't be washed, the likelihood of transmission is low, but it still makes sense to practise regular hand washing.For items like a newspaper that can't be washed, the likelihood of transmission is low, but it still makes sense to practise regular hand washing.
Bearing in mind the virus's durability, it's also worth regularly disinfecting plastic and stainless steel surfaces such as door handles.Bearing in mind the virus's durability, it's also worth regularly disinfecting plastic and stainless steel surfaces such as door handles.
Is it safe to buy fruit and veg, including salad food that is not in any packaging and if it is not, what should I do to make it safe? - R Doyle, BerkeleyIs it safe to buy fruit and veg, including salad food that is not in any packaging and if it is not, what should I do to make it safe? - R Doyle, Berkeley
The British Retail Consortium says retailers and their suppliers are continuing to work to the highest standards of hygiene when handling products, and are observing safety processes set by the Food Standards Agency and Public Health England.The British Retail Consortium says retailers and their suppliers are continuing to work to the highest standards of hygiene when handling products, and are observing safety processes set by the Food Standards Agency and Public Health England.
However, it makes sense to wash unpackaged items such as fruit and vegetables thoroughly under running water, before leaving them to dry. You should also then wash your hands with soap and water.However, it makes sense to wash unpackaged items such as fruit and vegetables thoroughly under running water, before leaving them to dry. You should also then wash your hands with soap and water.
Is there a particular blood group more prone to Covid-19? - Gregory Cassidy, BelfastIs there a particular blood group more prone to Covid-19? - Gregory Cassidy, Belfast
There may be a chance some blood types have a higher risk of getting a serious dose of Covid-19 than others, a small early study suggests.There may be a chance some blood types have a higher risk of getting a serious dose of Covid-19 than others, a small early study suggests.
Researchers assessed 2,173 coronavirus hospital patients in Shenzhen and Wuhan in China, where the outbreak originated.Researchers assessed 2,173 coronavirus hospital patients in Shenzhen and Wuhan in China, where the outbreak originated.
They found patients with A blood group types were more likely to have been hospitalised than average, while those with an O blood group type were less likely.They found patients with A blood group types were more likely to have been hospitalised than average, while those with an O blood group type were less likely.
In the local population, 32% had a type A blood group, compared with 38% of those in hospital. Meanwhile, 34% of residents had type 0 blood, compared with 26% in hospital.In the local population, 32% had a type A blood group, compared with 38% of those in hospital. Meanwhile, 34% of residents had type 0 blood, compared with 26% in hospital.
However, this study has not yet been peer reviewed and only covered a small area, so these links may be coincidental. Everyone should be doing all they can to avoid catching the virus and passing it on to others, regardless of their blood type.However, this study has not yet been peer reviewed and only covered a small area, so these links may be coincidental. Everyone should be doing all they can to avoid catching the virus and passing it on to others, regardless of their blood type.
What is the current policy on birthing partners? - Daniela Sponder, CroydonWhat is the current policy on birthing partners? - Daniela Sponder, Croydon
Expectant mothers should be encouraged to have a birth partner with them during labour and birth, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says, unless the partner is showing symptoms of coronavirus.Expectant mothers should be encouraged to have a birth partner with them during labour and birth, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says, unless the partner is showing symptoms of coronavirus.
As local trusts may place restrictions on visitors, partners may not be able to go to antenatal appointments, or stay with women on antenatal or postnatal wards. But this doesn't mean they cannot attend the birth, as long as they feel well.As local trusts may place restrictions on visitors, partners may not be able to go to antenatal appointments, or stay with women on antenatal or postnatal wards. But this doesn't mean they cannot attend the birth, as long as they feel well.
Some NHS trusts will allow only one birth partner to be in attendance, where previously they had allowed two. There were reports that others had banned partners' attendance altogether, before doing a U-turn on official advice.Some NHS trusts will allow only one birth partner to be in attendance, where previously they had allowed two. There were reports that others had banned partners' attendance altogether, before doing a U-turn on official advice.
Understandably, some pregnant women feel nervous about going into a hospital in case it increases their risk of catching the coronavirus.Understandably, some pregnant women feel nervous about going into a hospital in case it increases their risk of catching the coronavirus.
Maternity units are carrying out some consultations over the phone or via video link, but some in-person visits with the midwife are essential for the wellbeing of the mother and baby, the Royal College of Midwives says.Maternity units are carrying out some consultations over the phone or via video link, but some in-person visits with the midwife are essential for the wellbeing of the mother and baby, the Royal College of Midwives says.
It adds that home births may no longer be available in some local areas, mainly due to staff and ambulance shortages, but maternity wards are being kept as separate from Covid-19 treatment areas as possible.It adds that home births may no longer be available in some local areas, mainly due to staff and ambulance shortages, but maternity wards are being kept as separate from Covid-19 treatment areas as possible.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
We're about to exchange on a house but have been advised by the solicitor not to. When will restrictions on house purchases be lifted? - Christian Jackson, South LondonWe're about to exchange on a house but have been advised by the solicitor not to. When will restrictions on house purchases be lifted? - Christian Jackson, South London
There are currently no formal restrictions on moving house, although the government has strongly advised against it where possible. It says that while there is no need to pull out of transactions, buyers and renters should delay moving so they can observe social distancing and self-isolating guidelines.There are currently no formal restrictions on moving house, although the government has strongly advised against it where possible. It says that while there is no need to pull out of transactions, buyers and renters should delay moving so they can observe social distancing and self-isolating guidelines.
If the house you are moving into is empty, it's fine to carry on as long as these rules are observed during the removals process. If the property is occupied, the government is encouraging the buyer and seller to find an alternative moving date further down the line.If the house you are moving into is empty, it's fine to carry on as long as these rules are observed during the removals process. If the property is occupied, the government is encouraging the buyer and seller to find an alternative moving date further down the line.
Mortgage lenders have also been tightening their restrictions, with some requiring a deposit of at least 25%. But this doesn't affect mortgages which have already been agreed. Many lenders are offering customers who have already exchanged the option to extend their mortgage offer for up to three months so that they can move at a later date.Mortgage lenders have also been tightening their restrictions, with some requiring a deposit of at least 25%. But this doesn't affect mortgages which have already been agreed. Many lenders are offering customers who have already exchanged the option to extend their mortgage offer for up to three months so that they can move at a later date.
This timeframe may give you some idea of how long all of this could go on for, although nobody knows for sure.This timeframe may give you some idea of how long all of this could go on for, although nobody knows for sure.
The house buying process differs between Scotland and England and Wales, but the advice on delaying a move is the same.The house buying process differs between Scotland and England and Wales, but the advice on delaying a move is the same.
What questions do you have about coronavirus? Do you want to ask it on BBC News? Get in touch and we may ask you to send us a video of you asking your question.What questions do you have about coronavirus? Do you want to ask it on BBC News? Get in touch and we may ask you to send us a video of you asking your question.
In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: