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Travel Advice for Coronavirus COVID-19 (Update 9)

23 February 2020

Update advice for travellers to South Korea.

As of the 22 February 2020 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Daegu and Cheongdo cities in South Korea due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

FCO advisories are subject to change, prior to travel the FCO South Korea page should be checked for the latest advice.

Advice to All Travellers

Prior to travel, the following should be checked:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) site provides guidance for UK nationals travelling overseas, including how to seek consular assistance if required.

Travel agents or airlines should be contacted for latest information on local travel restrictions and local authority guidance relating to COVID-19.

Travel insurance is essential: the COVID-19 outbreak may impact your travel insurance coverage, ensure you carefullly check your travel insurance policy before travel.

The FCO countries or territories pages should be checked prior to travel for the latest advice, including:

  • Travel advisories and restrictions; it must be noted that these are subject to change and should be checked regularly. The FCO currently advise against all travel to Hubei Province and all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao) as well as all but essential travel to Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea.
  • Entry requirements for the destination; a number of countries have announced restrictions on entry by travellers from China in response to the outbreak
  • Reports of COVID-19 at the destination; travellers to countries reporting cases of COVID-19 should follow local public health advice.

Information on COVID-19, including prevention advice, is available on TRAVAX for travel health practioners and fitfortravel for the travelling public.

Travellers to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand should be aware if they develop symptoms on return to the UK, that are compatible with COVID-19, they should self-isolate and contact one of the following:

  • NHS 111 (England and Wales)
  • 0300 200 7885 (Northern Ireland)
  • NHS24 (Call 111) or their General Practitioner (Scotland)

Advice to Healthcare Practitioners

There remains a risk of imported cases to the UK. Health professionals should remain vigilant for symptomatic individuals who may have COVID-19.

Guidance on testing as well as a range of other resource materials are available from:

  • Scotland - Health Protection Scotland has produced a range of guidance and resource materials available via this link HPS website
  • England, Wales and NI - Public Health England has produced guidance and resource materials available via this link PHE website