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Coronavirus: returning Britons to be 'safely isolated' for 14 days, says Hancock – latest news Coronavirus: returning Britons to be 'safely isolated' for 14 days, says Hancock – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Hundreds of Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China, with Australia to follow suit. All the latest news, liveHundreds of Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China, with Australia to follow suit. All the latest news, live
China watchers have picked up on the way discontent with the authorities is rumbling - and finding an outlet online.
Chenchen Zhang, a lecturer at Queens University Belfast, points out that legal authorities took issue with apparent punitive measures taken against some people for allegedly spreading false information.
That intervention was followed up by a new post on Weibo, the Chinese microblogging website, saying that the eight people were “criticised and educated” rather than being “punished.” Cue criticism from the public..
The French drugmaker Sanofi has said it is postponing all its events in China and has asked employees to stop all travel to and from Wuhan and Hubei province in China.
The company said it had no plans to repatriate French employees from China over new coronavirus spread.
Germany’s health ministry has said quarantine plans will be put in place for people returning from China on evacuation flights, according to Reuters. Germany’s health minister says he expects agreement on evacuation within hours.
At least four cases have been confirmed in Germany, making it the second European country to report cases after France.
Lufthansa is waiting before it follows the example of British Airways in suspending flights to China. “We are monitoring the situation very closely,” a Lufthansa spokesman told Deutsche Welle.
All flights to and from China are currently running on schedule though the airline said it had observed a “slight reluctance to book.”
Britain’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, is facing some questions on social media after maintaining a relatively low profile in the media over the past week.Britain’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, is facing some questions on social media after maintaining a relatively low profile in the media over the past week.
His tweet about people returning from China being isolated for 14 days prompted a query from Clare Wenham, an assistant professor in global health policy at the London School of Economics, about the legal implications of the government’s policy.His tweet about people returning from China being isolated for 14 days prompted a query from Clare Wenham, an assistant professor in global health policy at the London School of Economics, about the legal implications of the government’s policy.
Others informed Hancock that the government’s response was “pathetically slow” and criticised “confusing messaging”.Others informed Hancock that the government’s response was “pathetically slow” and criticised “confusing messaging”.
The FT’s Tom Hancock, in China, contrasts the UK policy to that of the US
Unicef has shipped 6 metric tons of supplies, including respiratory masks and protective suits, to support China’s response to coronavirus outbreak.Unicef has shipped 6 metric tons of supplies, including respiratory masks and protective suits, to support China’s response to coronavirus outbreak.
“This coronavirus is spreading at a breakneck speed and it is important to put all the necessary resources into halting it,” said Unicef’s executive director Henrietta Fore. “We may not know enough about the virus’s impact on children or how many may be affected, but we do know that close monitoring and prevention are key. Time is not on our side.”“This coronavirus is spreading at a breakneck speed and it is important to put all the necessary resources into halting it,” said Unicef’s executive director Henrietta Fore. “We may not know enough about the virus’s impact on children or how many may be affected, but we do know that close monitoring and prevention are key. Time is not on our side.”
Unicef said it was working closely with the Chinese authorities, including the commerce ministry and the National Health Commission, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).Unicef said it was working closely with the Chinese authorities, including the commerce ministry and the National Health Commission, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Beijing is normally buzzing with people at this time of year, but fears of a virus outbreak have kept many indoors and at home, AP reports.Beijing is normally buzzing with people at this time of year, but fears of a virus outbreak have kept many indoors and at home, AP reports.
Cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City have closed their doors to visitors, while shopping malls have reduced their operating hours and only a handful of restaurants have remained open for customers.Cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City have closed their doors to visitors, while shopping malls have reduced their operating hours and only a handful of restaurants have remained open for customers.
British passengers returning from coronavirus-hit Wuhan could be asked to sign a contract before they board the plane saying they agree to being placed in quarantine. Anyone who does not wish to sign could be asked to stay.British passengers returning from coronavirus-hit Wuhan could be asked to sign a contract before they board the plane saying they agree to being placed in quarantine. Anyone who does not wish to sign could be asked to stay.
It is thought at least 200 British citizens want to return. The Foreign Office admitted it could become more difficult for British nationals in other provinces to leave and advised them to “make decisions based on their own personal circumstances” over whether to evacuate. The British embassy in Beijing warned that transport to get UK citizens out “may happen quickly and with short notice”.It is thought at least 200 British citizens want to return. The Foreign Office admitted it could become more difficult for British nationals in other provinces to leave and advised them to “make decisions based on their own personal circumstances” over whether to evacuate. The British embassy in Beijing warned that transport to get UK citizens out “may happen quickly and with short notice”.
Kazakhstan is suspending all passenger travel to and from neighbouring China, Reuters reports.Kazakhstan is suspending all passenger travel to and from neighbouring China, Reuters reports.
The Kazakh government said on Wednesday that buses to and from China had already been halted, passenger trains will stop on 1 February and all flights will be suspended from 3 February. The government has also suspended issuing visas to Chinese citizens.The Kazakh government said on Wednesday that buses to and from China had already been halted, passenger trains will stop on 1 February and all flights will be suspended from 3 February. The government has also suspended issuing visas to Chinese citizens.
Kazakhstan has refused to host the Asian Water Polo Championships next month or serve as a substitute host for the tennis Fed Cup qualifying event that was initially scheduled to take place next week in Dongguan, China.Kazakhstan has refused to host the Asian Water Polo Championships next month or serve as a substitute host for the tennis Fed Cup qualifying event that was initially scheduled to take place next week in Dongguan, China.
The former Soviet republic of 19 million has not registered any cases of the new virus.The former Soviet republic of 19 million has not registered any cases of the new virus.
The UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, just tweeted that British nationals will be “safely isolated” for 14 days.The UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, just tweeted that British nationals will be “safely isolated” for 14 days.
Britons returning from coronavirus-hit Wuhan will be placed in quarantine for 14 days, most likely at a facility on a military base, PA Media reports, citing UK government sources.Britons returning from coronavirus-hit Wuhan will be placed in quarantine for 14 days, most likely at a facility on a military base, PA Media reports, citing UK government sources.
Here’s a a simple explainer on the coronavirus, answering questions on the symptoms caused by the virus, how is it transmitted from person to person, and at what point should someone see a doctor.Here’s a a simple explainer on the coronavirus, answering questions on the symptoms caused by the virus, how is it transmitted from person to person, and at what point should someone see a doctor.
Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care are advising those who have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people. Travellers who have returned should call NHS 111 to inform them of their recent travel to the cityPublic Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care are advising those who have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people. Travellers who have returned should call NHS 111 to inform them of their recent travel to the city
Yvonne Doyle, medical director at PHE, said:Yvonne Doyle, medical director at PHE, said:
Virgin Atlantic will continue to operate its flights between Heathrow and Shanghai, the company said. Passengers are able to rebook or obtain a refund free of charge.Virgin Atlantic will continue to operate its flights between Heathrow and Shanghai, the company said. Passengers are able to rebook or obtain a refund free of charge.
The airline said in a statement: “We continue to monitor the situation regarding coronavirus and will always follow guidance as set out by relevant authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising against all but essential travel to mainland China, excluding Hong Kong.The airline said in a statement: “We continue to monitor the situation regarding coronavirus and will always follow guidance as set out by relevant authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising against all but essential travel to mainland China, excluding Hong Kong.
“For customers who have booked to travel to China, including Hong Kong, and would like to discuss their travel plans further, we would invite them to contact our customer care team via our SMS messaging system, on +44 (0)7481 339184. The team are happy to assist with any inquiries.”“For customers who have booked to travel to China, including Hong Kong, and would like to discuss their travel plans further, we would invite them to contact our customer care team via our SMS messaging system, on +44 (0)7481 339184. The team are happy to assist with any inquiries.”
Here’s a report by Guardian reporter Jessica Murray and Michael Standaert on a British family trapped in the centre of the coronavirus outbreak being split up in coronavirus evacuations.Here’s a report by Guardian reporter Jessica Murray and Michael Standaert on a British family trapped in the centre of the coronavirus outbreak being split up in coronavirus evacuations.