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Coronavirus: Foreign Office warns against 'all but essential travel' to China Coronavirus: Foreign Office warns against 'all but essential travel' to China
(32 minutes later)
The Foreign Office is warning Britons not to travel to mainland China, unless their journey is essential.The Foreign Office is warning Britons not to travel to mainland China, unless their journey is essential.
It comes as Britons in Hubei Province, at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, prepare to be flown home as early as Thursday.It comes as Britons in Hubei Province, at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, prepare to be flown home as early as Thursday.
The virus has caused more than 100 deaths, spreading across China and to at least 16 other countries.The virus has caused more than 100 deaths, spreading across China and to at least 16 other countries.
There have been no confirmed cases in the UK so far, with 97 people testing negative for the virus.There have been no confirmed cases in the UK so far, with 97 people testing negative for the virus.
The Department of Health said there have been no positive test results.
The FCO had already warned against all travel to Hubei Province, saying anyone there who could leave should do so.The FCO had already warned against all travel to Hubei Province, saying anyone there who could leave should do so.
Its new advice warns against "all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao)".Its new advice warns against "all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao)".
In its China advice on the gov.uk website, it said the Chinese government was imposing further restrictions on movement, adding: "It may become harder over the coming weeks for those who wish to leave China to do so." It warns the Chinese government is imposing further restrictions on movement, adding: "It may become harder over the coming weeks for those who wish to leave China to do so."
The FCO is now arranging to evacuate Britons from Hubei province. British Airways said it was assessing its schedule of flights to China.
One teacher in Wuhan, the capital city of the province, told the Press Association news agency that UK citizens were being given details of forthcoming flights. The FCO is arranging to evacuate Britons from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province, urging those who want to leave to contact the British consulate before 11:00 local time on Wednesday.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she understood some Britons were now scheduled to return on a flight on Thursday morning. Up to 300 British people are thought to be in the area, which is now under strict travel restrictions. Officials estimate as many as 200 of them will want to return to the UK.
One teacher in Wuhan, the capital city of the province, told the Press Association UK citizens were being given details of forthcoming flights - with some understood to be scheduled to fly back on Thursday morning.
'Cities could be closed at short notice''Cities could be closed at short notice'
Travel journalist Simon Calder told BBC News the FCO's change of advice was "extremely significant".Travel journalist Simon Calder told BBC News the FCO's change of advice was "extremely significant".
"My estimate is that there are around 10,000 holidaymakers in China at the moment and many thousands more who are on business or living as expatriates," he said."My estimate is that there are around 10,000 holidaymakers in China at the moment and many thousands more who are on business or living as expatriates," he said.
"The Foreign Office is being clear that it is not overly concerned with people who are there at the moment, it is more that they want to manage the scale of any possible problems."The Foreign Office is being clear that it is not overly concerned with people who are there at the moment, it is more that they want to manage the scale of any possible problems.
"At the moment people can fly freely in and out of Beijing and Shanghai - the Foreign Office appears to be concerned that cities like that could be closed at short notice.""At the moment people can fly freely in and out of Beijing and Shanghai - the Foreign Office appears to be concerned that cities like that could be closed at short notice."
Mr Calder said airlines flying from the UK to China "have all said that they will provide refunds and anyone booked on a package holiday due to depart imminently will be entitled to a full refund".Mr Calder said airlines flying from the UK to China "have all said that they will provide refunds and anyone booked on a package holiday due to depart imminently will be entitled to a full refund".
Those with packages booked to depart beyond the next week or so may be told to wait and see by their travel company, in case the FCO changes its advice.Those with packages booked to depart beyond the next week or so may be told to wait and see by their travel company, in case the FCO changes its advice.
"Anyone who travels to China against the Foreign Office advice risks invalidating their insurance," he added."Anyone who travels to China against the Foreign Office advice risks invalidating their insurance," he added.
Amie Keeley, head of news at Travel Weekly, said it is a quiet time for organised tours in China, but operators had been offering customers with bookings later in the year refunds or different dates. Amie Keeley, head of news at Travel Weekly, said it was a quiet time for organised tours in China, but operators had been offering customers with bookings later in the year refunds or alternative travel dates.
Those in Wuhan and the surrounding areas have been urged to contact the British consulate before 11:00 local time on Wednesday if they wish to leave.
Up to 300 British people are thought to be in the area, which is now under strict travel restrictions. Officials have estimated up to 200 of them will want to return to the UK.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the government was "working urgently to finalise arrangements for an assisted departure from Hubei Province for British nationals this week, and are in contact with people in Hubei to ensure they register their interest and that we can keep them updated".Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the government was "working urgently to finalise arrangements for an assisted departure from Hubei Province for British nationals this week, and are in contact with people in Hubei to ensure they register their interest and that we can keep them updated".
Britons have also been advised by the FCO to "comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities".Britons have also been advised by the FCO to "comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities".
A UK expert developing a vaccine against the virus has said it has a "very good chance" of being effective.A UK expert developing a vaccine against the virus has said it has a "very good chance" of being effective.
Professor Robin Shattock, head of mucosal infection and immunity at Imperial College London, said he plans to start testing the vaccine on animals by the middle of February, with human studies in the summer if enough funding is secured.Professor Robin Shattock, head of mucosal infection and immunity at Imperial College London, said he plans to start testing the vaccine on animals by the middle of February, with human studies in the summer if enough funding is secured.
Britons in parts of China affected by the virus have been criticising the UK government for not doing enough to help them leave.Britons in parts of China affected by the virus have been criticising the UK government for not doing enough to help them leave.
Some in Wuhan said they had been given little information, compared to those from other countries. The US and Japan have been sending planes to Wuhan to evacuate their citizens. Some in Wuhan said they had been given little information, compared with those from other countries. The US and Japan have been sending planes to Wuhan to evacuate their citizens.
Meanwhile, tests on people who have returned to the UK from the area are continuing.Meanwhile, tests on people who have returned to the UK from the area are continuing.
One man currently being tested was filmed as he left home in Harborne, Birmingham, on Monday, on his way to hospital.One man currently being tested was filmed as he left home in Harborne, Birmingham, on Monday, on his way to hospital.
A video posted on Twitter by a neighbour showed him being escorted to an ambulance by a medic wearing a protective suit.A video posted on Twitter by a neighbour showed him being escorted to an ambulance by a medic wearing a protective suit.
Earlier, Public Health England in the West Midlands had confirmed blood tests on the man were ongoing but later said it was not in a position to comment on individual cases and would not provide rolling updates on tests.Earlier, Public Health England in the West Midlands had confirmed blood tests on the man were ongoing but later said it was not in a position to comment on individual cases and would not provide rolling updates on tests.
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