British citizens have been told not to travel anywhere outside the UK for at least the next 30 days in the latest attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that people should not go on holidays or international trips unless absolutely essential, as official advice was updated this afternoon.
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The official Foreign Office website has been updated with the latest information and advises the following for those affected: "If you now need to change or cancel your travel plans, follow these steps:
- contact your airline, travel company, cruise line or other transport and accommodation providers
- get in touch with your insurance provider
- continue to follow the NHS coronavirus guidance
The news comes after the government yesterday tightened up restrictions on social distancing within the country, falling more in line with other countries around Europe, some of which have gone into total lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
In the first daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, the Prime Minister told anyone who had the two main first symptoms of the infection - a new persistent cough and a fever - to stay at home for 14 days. He also said that their whole household should too.
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He advised that pubs, clubs and restaurants should be avoided at all costs. However, he said that care homes and schools are not currently being forcibly closed, although the situation is under constant review.
He also advised that people should work from home wherever possible. He added that social venues such as pubs and theatres should not be visited.
In the briefing, he said: "Without drastic action, cases could double every five or six days."
Recognising that the country is on the brink unprecedented upheaval if the infection continues to spread at the current rate, he also said: "Now is the time to stop all non-essential contact with others and all non-essential travel."
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With the NHS already at breaking point, the Prime Minister urged people to 'only use the NHS when you really need to'.
He also cited advice he had received that the peak of the epidemic is 'coming faster in some parts of the country than others,' adding that London is a few weeks ahead of the rest of the nation.
Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, added that the measures will go on for a 'prolonged' amount of time, saying that it would not be a case of this period of caution lasting for 'a few weeks'.
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The next briefing is expected this afternoon, where the Prime Minister and two of the country's leading scientists will provide further advice on how we can work together to stop the spread of the pandemic.
It's okay to not panic. LADbible and UNILAD's aim with our campaign, Cutting Through, is to provide our community with facts and stories from the people who are either qualified to comment or have experienced first-hand the situation we're facing. For more information from the World Health Organisation on Coronavirus, click here.