Coronavirus: Latest travel advice for Spain, Italy, China and more countries affected

As a result of Covid-19, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued travel advice warning people against visiting certain areas or countries.

On Saturday it was announced that a newborn baby at a north London hospital had the virus.

Here is a look at the current guidance if you are heading or coming back from abroad:

China

The FCO advises against all travel to Hubei province due to the outbreak, and against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China. If you are in China and able to leave, the FCO says you should do so.

Italy

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to all of Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia. Authorities in Italy have advised against travel for tourism purposes and said tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to return to the place where they live.

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Denmark

British nationals are advised against all but essential travel to the whole country, after Danish authorities announced they would be closing the borders for a month in response to the pandemic. Foreign nationals who "do not have a recognised purpose for entering Denmark" will be barred from entry.

Norway

The department advises against all but essential travel to Norway, after the Norwegian authorities said that all non-resident visitors arriving from countries other than Finland and Sweden would be asked to leave Norway on arrival.

British nationals legally resident in Norway will be allowed to enter the country but must enter self-quarantine for 14 days.

Czech Republic

British authorities advise against all but essential travel to the Czech Republic due to a 30-day state of emergency declared on March 12. Prague airport is the sole airport carrying international flights, however many of them are being cancelled.

Czech authorities have said anyone who enters the country from the UK or other "at risk" countries will be required to self-isolate.

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Jamaica

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the country due to restrictions on entry. Only Jamaican citizens, spouses and children of Jamaican citizens and foreign residents travelling from the UK will be allowed to enter.

The FCO said: "British nationals who wish to leave Jamaica are encouraged to make travel arrangements urgently before airlines reduce direct and indirect flight options."

Poland

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the country, owing to restrictions being put in place following the outbreak which has seen borders closed and border controls introduced. Non-Polish nationals will only be able to enter the country if they are a spouse or child of a Polish national, hold a Pole's Card, or otherwise have the right to stay or work in the country.

Slovakia

Travel restrictions in the country mean the FCO advises against all but essential travel. The department said: "Entry to the country is allowed only for Slovak citizens and foreign residents. All those arriving from abroad are required to self-isolate for 14 days."

Argentina

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to all of Argentina due to travel restrictions.

"The FCO strongly encourage non-resident British nationals in Argentina to consider leaving to avoid difficulties they will face if flights out of the country and the region are further restricted and they are unable to get home," the department said.

Vietnam

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Vietnam due to the high risk of British nationals being placed into a 14-day quarantine.

Malta

The department advises against all but essential travel to Malta due to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for all arrivals including returning residents.

Albania

Following the government of Albania's decision to introduce "stringent measures" to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the FCO advises against all but essential travel.

All borders are closed, with the exception of freight, to all nationals. Schools are also closed as are all shops except food shops and pharmacies.

Kosovo

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Kosovo as all flights into the country have been cancelled, and land borders are closed to non-citizens.

Estonia

The FCO has advised against all but essential travel as the Estonian authorities are themselves advising against all travel in and out of Estonia, and passengers from several European countries must self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry.

San Marino

In conjunction with their travel advice for Italy, the FCO advises against all but essential travel to San Marino. "British nationals remain able to depart San Marino without restriction with a valid passport and onward ticket," the department said.

Equatorial Guinea

The FCO advises against all travel to Equatorial Guinea after authorities announced border closures and the suspension of international flights for 30 days.

Liberia

The department advises against all but essential travel to Liberia due to the high risk of quarantine for British nationals, as well as travel restrictions.

Lithuania

British nationals are advised against all but essential travel due to border controls effective from March 15, lasting ten days.

Latvia

The FCO advises against all but essential travel, due to the increased travel restrictions. From March 17, it will not be possible for most British nationals to enter or exit Latvia and organised transport by air, sea and land will be suspended.

Peru

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Peru due to conditions including a ban on flights to and from Europe from March 16 for at least 30 days.

Mongolia

The department advises against all but essential travel due to the suspension of all flights until at least March 28, and recommended British nationals use charter flights scheduled for March 15 and 16.

Philippines

Due to the impact of domestic travel restrictions, possible curfews and plans to impose conditions on entry from the UK, the FCO has recommended against all but essential travel to the whole country from March 15.

Sierra Leone

The FCO advises against all but essential travel due to mandatory quarantine measures for British nationals arriving from March 16.

Cruise ships

British nationals aged 70 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions are advised against cruise ship travel.

South Korea

The department advises against all travel to the cities of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan which have been designated "special care zones" by South Korean authorities due to outbreaks.

From Sunday, travellers arriving from the UK will be subject to additional screening. People travelling from the UK will also be asked to report their condition to the authorities for 14 days.

Spain

The Spanish ministry of health declared the areas of Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria, and Miranda de Ebro, as places where there is community transmission of coronavirus and the FCO advises against all but essential travel to those regions. This advice was changed in the early hours of March 15, with the FCO advising against all travel to the country.

India

Although the FCO has not advised against travel, the department said the government of India previously announced it will suspend all existing visas due to the virus outbreak.

France

France has taken several steps to delay the spread of Covid-19 including the closure of restaurants, schools, universities, cafes, theatres and non-essential shops, the FCO said. Gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned and tourist attractions have been shuttered.

The FCO has not currently advised British nationals not to travel to France.

United States

On March 14, the US government extended an existing European travel ban to the UK and Ireland, with the exception of returning US citizens and legal residents.

The FCO did not update its existing advice on the day of the announcement.

New Zealand

Arrivals from countries other than China and Iran will have to self isolate for 14 days on arrival, the department said. Foreign nationals arriving from China or Iran will not be allowed to enter the country as part of strict new controls.

Bolivia

The FCO has not advised against travel, however all flights to and from Europe have been suspended.

Bahrain

The department said all arrivals from the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days including those without symptoms, but has not warned against travel.

Singapore

British nationals will not be granted permission to enter Singapore if they have travelled to mainland China, Iran, northern Italy or South Korea within the last 14 days, the FCO said.

Malaysia

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to all islands off the coast of eastern Sabah from Kudat to Tawau, including (but not limited to) Lankayan, Mabul, Pom Pom, Kapalai, Litigan, Sipadan and Mataking.

Portugal

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.

Ecuador

The FCO advises against all but essential travel, as foreign nationals will not be admitted to the country from Sunday evening.

Coronavirus: the facts

What is coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.

What caused coronavirus?

The outbreak started in Wuhan in China in December 2019 and it is thought that the virus, like others of its kind, has come from animals.

How is it spread?

As this is such a new illness, experts still aren’t sure how it is spread. But.similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. Therefore covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and disposing of used tissues straight away is advised. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS states that the symptoms are: a dry cough, high temperature and shortness of breath - but these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. Look out for flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose and a sore throat. It’s important to remember that some people may become infected but won’t develop any symptoms or feel unwell.

What precautions can be taken?

Washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly. The NHS also advises to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; put used tissues in the bin immediately and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Also avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.

Should I avoid public places?

Most people who feel well can continue to go to work, school and public places and should only stay at home and self isolate if advised by a medical professional or the coronavirus service.

What should I do if I feel unwell?

Don’t go to your GP but instead call NHS 111 or look online at the coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and what to do next.

When to call NHS 111

NHS 111 should be used if you feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms, have been in a country with a high risk of coronavirus in the last 14 days or if you have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS