Coronavirus travel advice updated

The four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have agreed to update health advice for travellers returning from certain countries.

Anyone who has arrived in the UK from these areas since 19 February is advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people, even if they do not have symptoms, and phone their GP or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.

• 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
• the Hubei province in China

For South Korea, anyone who visited the two cities at the centre of the outbreak, Daegu and Cheongdo, is advised to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms.

For Iran, all returning travellers are requested to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

For northern Italy, all travellers returning from specific lockdown areas identified by the Italian Government are advised to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

Any other travellers returning from parts of Italy north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini in the past week are asked to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Anyone who has travelled to the UK from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is also now advised to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said:

“Scotland remains well-equipped to deal with any positive cases of coronavirus. While all tests here have so far been negative, we have established plans in place to ensure a rapid response in the event of a confirmed case.

“However, early detection of any positive cases will be vital, to contain the virus and stop it spreading. That’s why it’s vital people stay up to date with the latest health and travel advice, and take the same basic precautions they would to avoid colds or influenza, such as washing hands and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”

Existing advice from the four UK CMOs remains in place for anyone who has travelled to the UK in the last 14 days from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau to stay indoors and call NHS 24 (111) if they are experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, even if symptoms are mild.

Background

The latest numbers of test results are published at 2pm each day on the Scottish Government website.

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
• high temperature or fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Updates on public health advice for coronavirus can be found on the NHS Inform website, and a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816.

For anyone who is planning to travel abroad, guidance can be found on fitfortravel. Where a COVID-19 risk is identified, country pages will be updated.