Firstly, let me reassure you that the NHS is well prepared to deal with incidents like this, and I am assured that the Government has a clear path to ensure the public is protected. I regularly post the latest advice on this matter on social media and you can find the latest advice by visiting the Government website: www.gov.uk or the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ This page is being updated every day at 2pm until further notice, in addition to press briefings and parliamentary statements.

If you have any concerns about your own health or symptoms, please call 111.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced strengthened legal powers to bolster public health protections against coronavirus. The regulations have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in this country by keeping individuals in isolation where public health professionals believe there is a reasonable risk an individual may have the virus.

In September 2019, Public Health England (PHE) published guidelines on Investigation and management of outbreaks of influenza-like illness in schools:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

These guidelines outline the best ways to be prepared for, as well as how to respond, in the event of an outbreak of a viral infection. There are also guidelines which cover all health protection in schools and other childcare settings:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-...

Individual schools are responsible for decisions about closure in the event that there is a risk of coronavirus at the school.

If you would like further information about self-isolation, or the latest information, please visit the Government guidance here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-pub...
If you need urgent Consular assistance whilst abroad, the hotline number is 0207 008 1500.

If you run a small business and need urgent advice or support, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy helpline is 0300 456 3565.

If you run a business or are self-employed and are concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, you can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice: 0800 0159 559.

It is clear that the virus will be with us for some time, but I know my Ministerial colleagues and others are working around the clock to ensure to ensure the public is protected.

I will continue to closely follow this issue and, where appropriate, provide further updates.