Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the coronavirus does not enter the UK.

We have been closely monitoring the situation in Wuhan and China more widely and we have put in place proportionate, precautionary measures. Our approach has at all times been guided by the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty. Professor Whitty and Public Health England, aided by independent experts, are in close contact with their international counterparts, and are continually monitoring the scientific evidence as it emerges.

The United Kingdom is well prepared for these types of outbreaks – we are one of the first countries in the world to develop a test for the new virus.

We can confirm two patients in England, who are members of the same family, have tested positive for coronavirus. The patients are receiving specialist National Health Service care and we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus. We are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread.

We are advising people that if they have returned from Wuhan or anywhere in Hubei province in the last 14 days they should:

- Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu;

- Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city;

- If in Northern Ireland, call the NI Direct special emergency telephone number 0300 200 7885;

- To follow this advice even if they do not have symptoms of the virus; and

- If they have travelled from anywhere else in China (not including Macao or Hong Kong) to the UK in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath, they should immediately self-isolate, even if symptoms are minor and call NHS111.

Public safety is the top priority. Anyone who has been repatriated from Wuhan will be safely isolated for 14 days, with all necessary medical attention.