Two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, just hours after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a global public health emergency.

As more cases are spreading around the world, it can be worrying if you have trips booked – particularly if you’re flying to a place where cases are on the rise.

To ease your concerns, we’ve sourced advice from Public Health England (PHE), the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on safer travel.

Travelling to and from mainland China?

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to mainland China. As a result, a number of airlines have suspended flights – check with your airline before travelling for up-to-date information. At present, this advice excludes Hong Kong and Macau.

British people currently in China should make decisions based on their personal circumstances, bearing in mind that travel may become more difficult in the coming days. For advice on this, you’re advised to call the FCO’s helpline on (+44) (0)207 008 1500.

If you have been in mainland China, excluding Wuhan – where the outbreak started – and don’t have any symptoms of coronavirus, you don’t need to self-isolate.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Travelling from Wuhan, China?

If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days, it’s advised that you stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.

You should call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city or notify your GP if you’re in Northern Ireland. You should do this regardless of whether you have symptoms or not.

DHSC suggests that, where possible, you should avoid having visitors to your home – but it’s okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food and supplies.

Travelling to, from and via affected countries?

At the time of writing, coronavirus had been confirmed in: mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Australia (Queensland), Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, England, Germany, India, Italy, Japan,  Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States and Vietnam. 

More than 170 people have died in China and around 7,700 have been infected worldwide – a figure that is likely to rise.

If you’re travelling to, from or via these countries, it’s important to practise good hygiene (more on that below). Comply with additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities and be vigilant of coronavirus symptoms.

If you experience symptoms on return to the UK, you should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

General hygiene advice when travelling

Initial tests suggests the virus can be passed from human to human. In the same way you’d protect against flu and other nasty bugs, it’s important to practise good hygiene. Make sure you:

:: Wash hands regularly with warm water and soap, especially before handling and consuming food.

:: Cough and sneeze into tissues, then put them in the bin. Don’t leave them lying around. If you haven’t got a tissue, cover your mouth when you cough.

:: Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell.

:: Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth, as these areas are prime gateways for germs to enter the body.

:: Avoid sharing personal items with others.

Sally Bloomfield, honorary Professor at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, previously told HuffPost UK that being in a confined space – like on a plane or public transport – can mean you’re more likely to catch germs. “Planes are just like any other living environment. The more crowded it gets, the more likely there is to be a spread of harmful germs.”

There are two ways of becoming infected when travelling on flights and public transport, she said: “One is through the air and the other is through touching things that are infected with our hands, and then touching the mouth, eyes or nose.”

Travel insurance advice

With Brexit upon us, anyone travelling outside of the UK should have travel insurance so they can seek medical treatment abroad. Coronavirus adds an extra layer of complication, however. If people visit a country that the FCO has advised against visiting – such as mainland China – you risk invalidating your travel insurance. It’s worth weighing up this risk before you travel.

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