Press release

Coronavirus and travel to China: Foreign Secretary's statement, 4 February 2020

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave a statement following the update to FCO Travel Advice advising against 'all but essential' travel to China.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Dominic Raab
• Published: 4 February 2020

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

In light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to mainland China and now recommends that British Nationals who are able to leave China do so.

Commercial airline options for departing China remain available throughout the country, except in Hubei Province.

The Foreign Office continues to work on arrangements to evacuate any remaining British nationals from Hubei Province who wish to leave.

Read the full FCO Travel Advice for China.

British nationals in China who need consular support should call +86 (0)10 8529 6600 or the FCO in London on +44 (0) 207 008 1500.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

The safety and security of British people will always be our top priority. As such, we now advise British nationals in China to leave the country if they can, to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus. Where there are still British Nationals in Hubei Province who wish to be evacuated, we will continue to work around the clock to facilitate this.

See also:

• our travel advice on coronavirus
• the Department for Health and Social Care information on coronavirus

Further information

• Follow the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Twitter @DominicRaab and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

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Published 4 February 2020