Brits returning from Coronavirus-hit Italy told to ‘self-isolate’ even if they have no symptoms

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said official advice has been updated to say that those who have been to northern Italy - north of Pisa - should self-isolate if they have flu-like symptoms.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he added: "If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms."

In Italy, where 229 people have tested positive for the virus and seven have died, police have manned checkpoints around a dozen quarantined northern towns.

Schools were closed, theatre performances cancelled, and Venice Carnival celebrations were called off.

Mr Hancock said the Government was not aware of any Britons who were in the quarantined areas of northern Italy, but urged anyone there to make contact with the embassy in Rome.

The minister added that there were no changes to travel advice about going to Italy but those returning and showing symptoms should self-isolate.

In the UK, 13 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 caused by the virus, including four over the weekend who had been on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was held in quarantine in Japan.

Two of the patients are in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. The director of Public Health England in Sheffield has issued a message to the public after it emerged two people were being treated in the city.

The new travel advice comes as World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus warned the virus has the potential to become pandemic.

But Mr Hancock said the UK has done a "huge amount" of work preparing in case coronavirus became a pandemic, including setting up testing facilities outside A&Es and preparing home testing kits.

He added: "Since the outbreak became public at the start of this year, we have been doing a huge amount of work to prepare in case this becomes a pandemic.

"Once it gets to that point there isn't a way to stop it coming into the UK in a big way.