Nations are scrambling to evacuate their citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan as the death toll rises from the deadly coronavirus.
The UK Foreign Office is “urgently exploring” options for British nationals to leave Wuhan in China, according to Boris Johnson’s spokesman. On Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that up to 200 British citizens trapped in Wuhan will be offered repatriation to the UK, as cases of the deadly coronavirus continue to mount.
Japan has said it would send a chartered flight to Wuhan on Tuesday evening to evacuate its citizen. The US, South Korea and France are also aiming to fly citizens out of the city this week.
Multiple countries have adjusted their travel advice, with some advising against all but essential visits to any part of China. The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are currently against all travel to the Hubei Province in China.
Public events have been cancelled and transport links have been shut down over the past week over fears of the new strain of coronavirus spreading further.
As of Tuesday morning, the following countries have confirmed cases of the coronavirus;
| China | Over 4500 cases |
| Thailand | 14 cases |
| Australia | 5 cases |
| US | 5 cases |
| Singapore | 5 cases |
| Malaysia | 4 cases |
| Japan | 4 cases |
| France | 3 cases |
| Germany | 1 case |
| Canada | 1 case |
| Nepal | 1 case |
| Sri Lanka | 1 case |
Those stranded in China wishing to return to the UK can find information on the UK government’s website.
Photo: Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
