Coronavirus: Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower shut due to coronavirus outbreak

The Portsmouth landmark closed its doors at 6pm on Friday and will remain closed until further notice.

It comes after the government told all pubs, clubs, restaurants and other venues to shut.

Announcing the closure on social media, Spinnaker Tower tweeted: ‘We hope you are doing well in these testing times. We have been assessing the situation daily and following government advice, however the time has come for us to take the difficult decision to close Emirates Spinnaker Tower until further notice.

‘As a business we want to support the global effort to bring this pandemic to an end quickly and it is for that reason we are temporarily shutting our doors, we want to thank you for your support and are genuinely looking forward to welcoming you to Emirates Spinnaker Tower when we reopen.

‘Please do stay engaged with our social media channels and we’ll 241062503494361089keep our website up to date regularly.

‘In the meantime stay safe and keep smiling. Many thanks – Tony Sammut, General Manager, Emirates Spinnaker Tower.'

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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.

Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS