Coronavirus: Scots travellers given self-isolation advice

Travellers who have returned to Scotland from coronavirus hotspots within the last week are being told to isolate themselves for up to 14 days.

New guidance affects people who have arrived back from Iran, parts of northern Italy and South Korea, and Hubei province in China since February 19.

They are being told to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people, even if they do not have symptoms, and phone their GP or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.

It comes after a hotel in Tenerife popular with Scots holidaymakers was locked down after a visiting Italian doctor tested positive for the disease.

For South Korea, anyone who visited the two cities at the centre of the outbreak, Daegu and Cheongdo, is advised to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms.

For Iran, all returning travellers are requested to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

For northern Italy, all travellers returning from specific lockdown areas identified by the Italian government are advised to self-isolate.

Any other travellers returning from parts of Italy north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini in the past week are asked to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

Anyone who has travelled to the UK from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is also now advised to monitor their health, and isolate themselves if they develop symptoms.

As of Tuesday afternoon, none of the 412 tests for coronavirus in Scotland have returned positive.

The new travel advice has been agreed by the four UK chief medical officers (CMOs).

Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “Scotland remains well-equipped to deal with any positive cases of coronavirus.

“While all tests here have so far been negative, we have established plans in place to ensure a rapid response in the event of a confirmed case.

“However, early detection of any positive cases will be vital, to contain the virus and stop it spreading.

“That’s why it’s vital people stay up to date with the latest health and travel advice, and take the same basic precautions they would to avoid colds or influenza, such as washing hands and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”

Existing advice from the four UK CMOs remains in place for anyone who has travelled to the UK in the last 14 days from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau to stay indoors and call NHS 24 (111) if they are experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, even if symptoms are mild.