COVID-19 is a new respiratory illness that has not previously been seen in humans.
Advice to travellers returning from China
Travellers returning from Wuhan and Hubei Province
If you have returned from Wuhan or Hubei Province in the last 14 days:
Employees should follow this advice even if they do not have symptoms of the virus.
If you get a cough, a high temperature, or you feel short of breath, continue to follow this advice. Do not leave your house without getting advice from a doctor.
Travellers returning from other parts of China
If you’ve returned from other areas of China (but not Hong Kong or Macao) in the last 14 days, and get a cough or fever, or you feel short of breath:
Employees should follow this advice even if their symptoms are mild.
What this means in practice
This means staying at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China if you have symptoms) and not going to work or public areas.
Try to avoid having visitors to your home, but it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food.
While the risk to the UK population remains low, these steps are recommended to limit the potential spread of infection.
Transport
Do not use public transport or taxis until 14 days after your return from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China if you have symptoms).
Getting food and medicine
Stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China if you have symptoms) and avoid public places. Ask a friend, family member or delivery services to carry out errands on your behalf.
Taking children to school
Stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China if you have symptoms) and avoid public places. Ask a friend or family member to take your children to school. If your children are well and have not been in Wuhan or Hubei Province, there is no need for them to stay off school.
What is the risk of catching COVID-19 in the UK?
The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. But the risk to individuals remains low.
Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Symptoms usually include:
How is COVID-19 spread between people?
Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how COVID-19 spreads from person to person, but similar viruses spread by cough droplets.
Advice includes:
Treatment for COVID-19
There is no specific treatment for COVID-19. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms.
Further information
GOV.UK has further information on COVID-19 and the situation in the UK, and advice on travel to China.