It has now issued guidance on limiting the spread of the virus, including hygiene measures, travel advice and what to do if you have symptoms.
1. Risk level
Based on the World Health Organizations declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern, the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate.
2. Returning travellers - Gov advice
Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if youve travelled to the UK from the following places, even if you do not have symptoms: anywhere in Italy on or after 9 March specific areas in northern Italy in the last 14 days Iran in the last 14 days Hubei province in China in the last 14 days Daegu, Cheongdo or Gyeongsan in South Korea in the last 14 days
3. Returning travellers - Gov advice
Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if youve travelled to the UK from the following places in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, even if your symptoms are mild: Italy (outside specific areas in northern Italy) before March 9 mainland China outside of Hubei province South Korea outside of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan Cambodia Hong Kong Japan Laos Macau Malaysia Myanmar Singapore Taiwan Thailand Vietnam
4. Returning travellers - Gov advice
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. See COVID-19: specified countries and areas for more information and maps of specific areas.