People Are Going To Extreme Measures To Cover Their Heads During Coronavirus Outbreak

Travellers have shared troubling images of the lengths some people are going to avoid coming into contact with the coronavirus.

A number of people have posted photos online of people covering their heads with plastic bags, bottles and motorbike helmets in an attempt to keep the virus at bay.

In one photo, a family of four can be seen in an airport queue wearing plastic bags over their bodies - risking potential suffocation.

Other people have been snapped wearing huge plastic bottles of their heads.

Companies have also stepped up measures to limit the spread of the disease. British Airways has announced it is suspending all direct flights to and from mainland China.

In a statement on Wednesday, the airline said: "We apologise to customers for the inconvenience, but the safety of our customers and crew is always our priority. Customers due to travel to or from China in the coming days can find more information on BA.com."

Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised UK citizens against 'all but essential travel to the mainland China'.

On its website, the FCO said: "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Hubei Province due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. If you're in this area and able to leave, you should do so.

"The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao). The Chinese government continue to impose further restrictions on movement within China in response to the coronavirus outbreak."

There is no vaccine for the virus, which is spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes.

Chinese officials say 132 people have died after contracting the virus - there have been almost 6,000 confirmed so far in China, with 16 other countries - including the US - also confirming cases.

In a bid to cope with the number of patients, China is opening new hospitals, with one being built in just two days of construction.

Workers and volunteers in Huanggang City were able to get Dabie Mountain Regional Medical Centre, which will provide treatment for around 1,000 patients, open in just 48 hours.

The new building, in the Huangzhou District, was initially due to open in May as a new branch of the Huanggang Central Hospital, however, following the recent outbreak, officials got it open quicker to help meet demand for hospital beds.

The facility is one of four being built to provide emergency treatment for those with the coronavirus.

Topics: World News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19