Information for UK tourism businesses on the outbreak of coronavirus in China, including the current situation impact on travel to and from the UK and links to useful information and advice. The best source of information for any visitors with individual questions or health concerns is Public Health England.
This page will be updated regularly once new information is made available by the UK Government.
The UK Government is working in close collaboration with international colleagues and the World Health Organization to monitor the situation in China and around the world and to limit the impact of the coronavirus with the health and safety of people rightly the priority. Whilst this is still a fast-moving situation and it is hard to predict this new virus, the UK Government's hope is that China's robust controls on movement and gatherings will result in the virus coming quickly under control. We know from the SARS outbreak in 2002-3, that although the initial impact was significant, the recovery was robust within months, with visitors re-booking their cancelled trips.
Latest travel information and advice
The UK Government on 3 March announced its coronavirus action plan.
British Airways
Following the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's continued advice against all but essential travel to mainland China, British Airways has cancelled its flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai until 19 April 2020, and are offering refunds and postponements on flights to Hong Kong for travel booked up until 31 May 2020.
On Thursday 5 March, British Airways has announced it will remove the change fee on all new bookings from 3 March to 16 March for customers.
easyJet
On 28 February easyJet issued a statement saying that due to increased cases of COVID-19 in Northern Italy and significant softening of demand they will be making decisions to cancel some flights, particularly those into and out of Italy, while continuing to monitor the situation and adapting their flying programme to support demand. To help mitigate the impact from COVID-19 easyJet will be focusing on delivering operational efficiency and cost savings across a number of areas of the business.
Flybe
Flybe has entered administration as of Thursday 5 March 2020. All flights have been grounded and the UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect.
There is a notification to Flybe staff and customers on the Flybe website. Advice for UK customers can be found on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
The Department for Transport has released a statement on the situation.
Ryanair
On 2 March Ryanair announced that they will be cancelling up to 25% of their Italian short-haul flights from 17 March-8 April in response to the Covid-19 virus. Affected passengers were notified by email on 2 March.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has suspended its London to Shanghai service from 1 February until 19 April. Both airlines are operating services to Hong Kong and there are still a number of airlines operating between the UK and China, so passengers do have other options to get to their destination.
Virgin Atlantic is offering all customers travelling to/from Italy until 31 March the opportunity to reschedule their travel.
Advice from government Authorities
The French Government has passed a ban on all indoor public gatherings of over 5,000 people, the French Minister of Health, Olivier Veran, announced on Saturday 29 February. They have also advised that where possible, outbound travel should be postponed and that all upcoming school trips should be cancelled. If trips are underway then they should return to France as soon as possible
The Home Office and UKVI have issued immigration guidance for individuals in the UK who are unable to return to China.
British people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of novel coronavirus should check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.
Chinese authorities have ordered all their national travel agencies and online travel companies to temporarily suspend business, leisure, group travel and 'ticket and hotel' products effective immediately. Whilst individual travel has not been mentioned specifically, the authorities are keen to ensure that the disease is contained.
Latest advice for businesses
We also know that tourists affected will be very disappointed that they cannot go through with their travel plans and in line with requests from the Chinese Government and fair cancellation/rebooking policies are advised. We have seen some great examples of industry best practice such as accommodation providers, airlines, train operators offering free cancellations or the ability to rebook to Chinese and other affected guests affected, easing some of their worry and helping to support their future plans to visit Britain. We know that goodwill created now will stand the industry in good stead for when the suspension is over.
The UK Government has issued COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses.
The UK Government announced in a press release on 4 March that statutory sick pay will be made available from day one when self-isolating.
We sent out a message of reassurance and welcome to Chinese travel operators in China on 3 February to help maintain our relationship with this valuable market which you are welcome to repurpose.
We have shared some reactive reassurance messaging with attraction and accommodation providers (PDF, 400KB)who are expressing concern around accepting bookings. Please feel free to adapt and share this
The Department for Transport has issued guidance for staff in the transport sector, much of which seems transferable to the tourism sector.
The World Health Organisation has issued interim guidance for organisers of mass-gatherings.
The UK Government has published updated guidance for staff in the transport sector.
Measures in place at major ports of exit/entry
China has port-of-exit screening in place so people already exhibiting symptoms are not allowed to leave the country.
Meanwhile, flights to the UK from mainland China are continuing to provide health announcements to passengers and are providing a general declaration an hour out from landing.
Health protection teams have been in place at Heathrow since 22 January and in Gatwick and Manchester since 29 January. Enhanced monitoring is being carried out on direct flights into the UK from destinations that are currently on the FCO COVID-19 travel advice list. Passengers are told how to report any symptoms they develop during the flight, at the time of arrival, or after leaving the airport.
Posters and leaflets have been sent by Public Health England electronically to all 28 UK international airports, all UK Eurostar terminals and Dover and key ferry ports.
The Chinese Government is asking travel companies, operators and tourism businesses around the world to facilitate booking changes and cancellations to help reduce the movement of crowds and reduce the spread of the virus. At the moment, the Chinese Government is not offering any compensation to cancelled groups.
Latest advice for visitors
Health
See latest information and advice for the public on the outbreak of coronavirus from the Department of Health and Social Care. This covers the current situation in the UK and abroad and advice for visitors travelling to the UK from China, as well as Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Macua, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Italy, Iran, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
Check the latest travel health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website.
The UK Government's public information campaign advises the public on how to slow the spread of the coronavirus and reduce the impacts on NHS services.
The UK Government has issued guidance on self-isolation for patients undergoing testing.
On the Public Health Matters site they have issued a blog on What is self-isolation and why is it important?
Visas
The Home Office and UKVI have issued immigration guidance for individuals in the UK who are unable to return to China.
Reassurance for visitors:
'Visitors can be reassured that the UK Government, along with international colleagues and the World Health Organization, has been working in close collaboration to monitor the situation in China and around the world, to limit the impact of the coronavirus with the health and safety of people rightly the priority.
'The UK Government is closely monitoring the situation. The UK's public health measures are world-leading and it is always well prepared for new diseases with its approach kept under continuous review.
The UK's Chief Medical Officers have advised anyone who has travelled, or returned, to the UK from Wuhan and Hubei Province in China as well as these other specified areas: Iran; Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy as designated by the Government of Italy; Special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea; Hubei province (who has returned in the past 14 days); that you should immediately: call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the area; and stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms of the virus. In Scotland phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours. If you are in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.
The UK's Chief Medical Officers advised anyone who has travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild. The UK Government is carrying out enhanced monitoring of direct flights from these areas. Passengers will be told how to report any symptoms they develop during the flight, at the time of arrival, or after leaving the airport. These areas have been identified because of the volume of air travel from affected areas, understanding of other travel routes and number of reported cases. This list will be kept under review.
It has also advised that if you have returned from these areas - Northern Italy (defined by a line above, and not including, Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam; Cambodia; Laos or Myanmar since February 19 and develop symptoms, however mild, you should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call NHS111. You do not need to follow this advice if you have no symptoms.
'Health protection teams have been in place at Heathrow since 22 January and in Gatwick and Manchester since 29 January. Posters and leaflets have been sent by Public Health England electronically to all 28 UK international airports and all UK Eurostar terminals. This is a fast-moving situation and the best source of information for any visitors with individual questions or concerns is Public Health England.'
ENDS
Key gov.uk information pages
Read the UK Government's coronavirus action plan.
The UK Government announced in a press release on 4 March that statutory sick pay will be made available from day one when self-isolating.
The UK Government has issued COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses
The UK Government has issued guidance on self-isolation for patients undergoing testing.
Public Health England: Latest information on COVID-19
FCO's travel advice website for China
Foreign Office statement: British nationals in Hubei Province
Wuhan novel coronavirus and avian flu: advice for travel to China
Coronavirus (COVID-19)UK government response
Statement from Public Health England 31 January
On 10 February the UK Government introduced new regulations to delay or prevent further transmission of coronavirus.
Business advice
Message of reassurance and welcome to Chinese travel operator in China you can repurpose
Reactive reassurance messaging for attraction and accommodation providers (PDF,400KB)
The Department for Transport has issued guidance for staff in the transport sector much of which seems transferable to the tourism sector.
The World Health Organisation has issued interim guidance for organisers of mass-gatherings.
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