British Airways has suspended all flights to and from mainland China. The announcement came after Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to the country as the coronavirus spreads.
The airline, which operates daily flights to Shanghai and Beijing from Heathrow, said it was halting the flights with immediate effect. The last flights from Beijing and Shanghai are due to arrive in the UK at around 4pm today.
A British teacher in Wuhan city, who said UK citizens were being given details of forthcoming flights, said flights taking Britons back home could begin as early as Thursday. Hundreds of British citizens being flown back to the UK from Wuhan on Thursday will be put in quarantine for two weeks.
Australia, Japan, the US and the EU are also repatriating citizens. Australia plans to quarantine its 600 returning citizens for two weeks on Christmas Island – some 2,000km (1,200 miles) from the mainland.
The Foreign Office said in a statement: “British people currently in China should make decisions based on their own personal circumstances, bearing in mind that travel may become more difficult in the coming days. Commercial options for departing China remain available except in Hubei Province. The Foreign Office is working to finalise arrangements for evacuating British nationals from Hubei.
Any British nationals with questions or concerns should contact our helpline (+44) (0)207 008 1500.
This advice refers to mainland China. It excludes Hong Kong and Macau.
Due to increasing travel restrictions and difficulty accessing medical assistance, the FCO is working to make an option available for British nationals to leave Hubei Province. This may happen quickly and with short notice. If you’re a British national in Hubei Province and need assistance, contact our 24/7 number +86 (0) 10 8529 6600 or the FCO in London on (+44) (0)207 008 1500 to register your desire to leave before 29 January at 11am local time. You will be contacted once arrangements are confirmed.
Full FCO Travel Advice for China can be found here.”
