Coronavirus: Britons advised not to travel abroad for 30 days

The UK Government is advising against all non-essential foreign travel for 30 days as part of new coronavirus measures, the foreign secretary has said.

Dominic Raab told MPs the move would cover an “initial period” of 30 days and be subject to “ongoing review”.

It comes as a number of countries like the US, as well as the European Union, have put in place travel bans in a bid to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

In a House of Commons statement, Raab said: “Based on the fast-changing international circumstances today I am announcing changes to FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) travel advice.

“UK travellers abroad now face widespread international border restrictions and lockdowns in various countries.

“The FCO will always consider the safety and the security of British nationals so with immediate effect I’ve taken the decision to advise British nationals against non-essential travel globally for an initial period of 30 days and of course subject to ongoing review.”

Explaining the advised travel restrictions, the foreign secretary said: “This decision has been taken based on the domestic measures introduced in the UK alongside the changes to border and a range of other restrictions which are now being taken right around the world.

“The speed and the range of those measures across other countries is unprecedented. Some of those decisions are being made without notice.

“In some countries, even in countries or particular areas where there haven’t yet been any reported cases of Covid-19, local authorities are nonetheless imposing restrictions on movement and again doing so with little or sometimes no notice.”

It follows fresh guidance from the Prime Minister on Monday that UK citizens should avoid all non-essential contact with others, stop all unnecessary travel and avoid going to social venues like pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to give a further “economic update” to MPs later on Tuesday in the Commons.