news--2020-02-26--Coronavirus: Do you still get paid if you have to self-isolate?

The British government is advising thousands of people to self-isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , but what are your rights when it comes to work ?
Employment lawyer Rubel Bashir , from Slater and Gordon , says both employers and employees in the UK have a duty of care and `` discretion is needed '' with such an unusual situation as a coronavirus outbreak .
What should employers do to protect staff ?
Employers have an obligation under British law to take reasonable steps to protect staff health and safety .
Mr Bashir said : `` These include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , providing hand sanitisers , cleaning communal areas .
Employers are required to take those steps . ''
Employers should restrict staff travel to places where there has been a COVID-19 outbreak as part of their duty of care .
`` If an outbreak happens while they are there , an employer has an obligation to ensure their safety and that of other staff , '' Mr Bashir said .
Can employers stop staff going on holiday to high-risk regions ?
Mr Bashir said : `` There 'd be risks on employers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may not affect most of us , people may want to visit relatives .
`` That could be discriminatory if they are banned by their company .
`` An employer should direct them to government advice .
An employee should realise that if they did travel there then that 's causing more problems for themselves if they have to self-isolate or risk contracting COVID-19 . ''
What if an employee tests positive for COVID-19 then comes into work ?
Mr Bashir said : `` If someone knows they have coronavirus , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the infected person has breached a duty of care .
`` In theory that could happen but if they 're high-risk then they would have a duty not to work .
`` Anything before that , it would be very harsh or unreasonable to not be allowed to work at all . ''
The government does not recommend closing down the workplace and Public Health England ( PHE ) will contact the management team to discuss the case and contact anybody who has been close to the infected person .
Staff who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be asked by PHE to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact with the infected person .
What do you do if someone suspected to have COVID-19 has recently been in your workplace ?
If there is a suspected case of COVID-19 in the workplace , the government says no restrictions or special control measures are required while waiting for laboratory tests .
There is no need to close the workplace down or send other staff home at that point as most possible cases turn out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not had close contact with the person do not need to take any precautions and can continue to go to work .
Do I need to prove I 've been in self-isolation for 14 days ?
British law states that medical evidence is not required for the first seven days of sickness .
After that , the employer determines what evidence they require , if any .
This does not have to be a note from your GP and employers are `` strongly '' suggested to use discretion , according to the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to take `` reasonable care '' to look after their employees - which could mean allowing them to not come into work or work from home .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Will I get paid if I 'm in self-isolation ?
Mr Bashir said : `` After seven days you would normally need a medical note , fitness for work note .
`` In terms of payment , it would depend on the contractual right of the employee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It may be statutory sick pay , which is £94.25 a week for up to 28 weeks .
`` Ultimately , it 's up to the employer 's discretion as they do not have a legal obligation to pay staff on sick leave the full amount . ''
Health secretary Matt Hancock said guidance has been sent to UK employers and said self-isolation should be considered `` sickness for employment purposes '' .
Conciliation service Acas recommends if somebody is told not to come into work because they have COVID-19 they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an employee decides to come into work even though they have just been in a high-risk area such as China or northern Italy ?
Mr Bashir said : `` There 's an obligation on the employee to take a reasonable care for their own safety and others they work with .
`` If you know you have an illness then the employee may be in breach of their contract .
`` However , if the employee is coming into work and the employer is refusing to allow them then the employer has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee decides to self-isolate but they have not been near someone with COVID-19 or a high-risk region ?
`` If it 's one or two people in a workforce an employer might be willing to make an exception , '' Mr Bashir said .
`` If they suspect they 're trying to get off work then it 's up to the employer to decide .
`` It depends on how genuine the risk is .
If it 's not then an employee could face disciplinary action .
`` An employee is n't entitled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They need to have a sensible discussion with their employer . ''
Does an employer have an obligation to stop racism against staff ?
There have been several reports of people of a southeast Asian appearance experiencing racism because COVID-19 originated in China .
But do employers need to protect against that in the workplace ?
`` Yes , '' Mr Bashir said .
`` That could amount to discrimination or harassment .
`` The employer would be liable for the actions of employees so need to take steps to stop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections does the gig economy have ?
People who do not have the cover of an employer , such as food delivery drivers , couriers and Uber drivers , have little protection .
Mr Bashir said : `` There 's not much they can do apart from follow government advice .
`` If they caught COVID-19 you ca n't say that 's their fault or the company they work for .
`` There would be an obligation for big companies like Uber to educate and take the appropriate steps to protect their drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurseries and food ?
`` All employers and employees have a general obligation to take reasonable care , that differs from industry to industry , '' Mr Bashir said .
`` Working in food , an employer would have a larger obligation anyway because just having a cold is high risk at any time .
`` With nurseries , they have policies such as children not being allowed to come in if they have certain illnesses .
`` Different industries will have policies in place already but they need to look at those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Do employees have to wear face masks ?
The government says people in the workplace `` are not recommended '' to wear face masks to protect against COVID-19 .
Those with symptoms - a fever and a cough - are recommended to wear them to reduce the risk of infecting others .
Dr Adam Kucharski , infectious disease epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , said face masks can make people touch their faces more .
For those who are ill , he said self-isolating is better than @ @ @ @ @

The British government is advising thousands of people to self-isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but what are your rights when it comes to work?
Employment lawyer Rubel Bashir, from Slater and Gordon, says both employers and employees in the UK have a duty of care and "discretion is needed" with such an unusual situation as a coronavirus outbreak.
What should employers do to protect staff?
Employers have an obligation under British law to take reasonable steps to protect staff health and safety.
Mr Bashir said: "These include educating staff, sending emails on cleanliness, providing hand sanitisers, cleaning communal areas. Employers are required to take those steps."
Image: Military staff in China are swabbed for COVID-19
Should staff travel be restricted?
Employers should restrict staff travel to places where there has been a COVID-19 outbreak as part of their duty of care.
"If an outbreak happens while they are there, an employer has an obligation to ensure their safety and that of other staff," Mr Bashir said.
Can employers stop staff going on holiday to high-risk regions?
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Mr Bashir said: "There'd be risks on employers to have such a blanket policy as while it may not affect most of us, people may want to visit relatives.
"That could be discriminatory if they are banned by their company.
"An employer should direct them to government advice. An employee should realise that if they did travel there then that's causing more problems for themselves if they have to self-isolate or risk contracting COVID-19."
Image: Tourists with masks in the pool of a Tenerife hotel placed on lockdown
What if an employee tests positive for COVID-19 then comes into work?
Mr Bashir said: "If someone knows they have coronavirus, there's possibly a case to be made that the infected person has breached a duty of care.
"In theory that could happen but if they're high-risk then they would have a duty not to work.
"Anything before that, it would be very harsh or unreasonable to not be allowed to work at all."
The government does not recommend closing down the workplace and Public Health England (PHE) will contact the management team to discuss the case and contact anybody who has been close to the infected person.
Staff who have had close contact with that person will be asked by PHE to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact with the infected person.
What do you do if someone suspected to have COVID-19 has recently been in your workplace?
If there is a suspected case of COVID-19 in the workplace, the government says no restrictions or special control measures are required while waiting for laboratory tests.
There is no need to close the workplace down or send other staff home at that point as most possible cases turn out to be negative.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 A walk through the Tenerife hotel on lockdown
Employees who have not had close contact with the person do not need to take any precautions and can continue to go to work.
Do I need to prove I've been in self-isolation for 14 days?
British law states that medical evidence is not required for the first seven days of sickness.
After that, the employer determines what evidence they require, if any. This does not have to be a note from your GP and employers are "strongly" suggested to use discretion, according to the government.
Mr Bashir said employers have a responsibility to take "reasonable care" to look after their employees - which could mean allowing them to not come into work or work from home.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Will I get paid if I'm in self-isolation?
Mr Bashir said: "After seven days you would normally need a medical note, fitness for work note.
"In terms of payment, it would depend on the contractual right of the employee, what the sick pay policy is.
"It may be statutory sick pay, which is £94.25 a week for up to 28 weeks.
"Ultimately, it's up to the employer's discretion as they do not have a legal obligation to pay staff on sick leave the full amount."
Health secretary Matt Hancock said guidance has been sent to UK employers and said self-isolation should be considered "sickness for employment purposes".
Conciliation service Acas recommends if somebody is told not to come into work because they have COVID-19 they should get their usual pay.
What if an employee decides to come into work even though they have just been in a high-risk area such as China or northern Italy?
Mr Bashir said: "There's an obligation on the employee to take a reasonable care for their own safety and others they work with.
"If you know you have an illness then the employee may be in breach of their contract.
"However, if the employee is coming into work and the employer is refusing to allow them then the employer has to pay them."
What if an employee decides to self-isolate but they have not been near someone with COVID-19 or a high-risk region?
"If it's one or two people in a workforce an employer might be willing to make an exception," Mr Bashir said.
"If they suspect they're trying to get off work then it's up to the employer to decide.
"It depends on how genuine the risk is. If it's not then an employee could face disciplinary action.
"An employee isn't entitled to not attend work for no reason. They need to have a sensible discussion with their employer."
Image: Airports around the world have introduced screening
Does an employer have an obligation to stop racism against staff?
There have been several reports of people of a southeast Asian appearance experiencing racism because COVID-19 originated in China.
But do employers need to protect against that in the workplace?
"Yes," Mr Bashir said. "That could amount to discrimination or harassment.
"The employer would be liable for the actions of employees so need to take steps to stop a hostile or degrading environment."
What protections does the gig economy have?
People who do not have the cover of an employer, such as food delivery drivers, couriers and Uber drivers, have little protection.
Mr Bashir said: "There's not much they can do apart from follow government advice.
"If they caught COVID-19 you can't say that's their fault or the company they work for.
"There would be an obligation for big companies like Uber to educate and take the appropriate steps to protect their drivers."
Image: Volunteers in protective suits are disinfected in Wuhan
What about businesses such as nurseries and food?
"All employers and employees have a general obligation to take reasonable care, that differs from industry to industry," Mr Bashir said.
"Working in food, an employer would have a larger obligation anyway because just having a cold is high risk at any time.
"With nurseries, they have policies such as children not being allowed to come in if they have certain illnesses.
"Different industries will have policies in place already but they need to look at those policies with regards to the coronavirus."
Do employees have to wear face masks?
The government says people in the workplace "are not recommended" to wear face masks to protect against COVID-19.
Those with symptoms - a fever and a cough - are recommended to wear them to reduce the risk of infecting others.
Dr Adam Kucharski, infectious disease epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said face masks can make people touch their faces more.
For those who are ill, he said self-isolating is better than wearing a face mask.


news--2020-02-25--Coronavirus: What you should do if you're heading abroad on holiday

With coronavirus cases confirmed in Italy and Spain , many people are getting anxious about how this could affect their holidays .
So what is the advice if you have a holiday outside of the UK coming up - or if you 're thinking of booking one ?
To begin with , it is worth keeping a close eye on the latest advice from the Foreign Office website , as this is where all travel and leisure companies are getting their guidance from .
Industry bodies advise booking with established and trustworthy companies - and , if possible , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They also recommend that holidaymakers get travel insurance , and that people follow advice from Public Health England while they are abroad .
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updates travel advice for individual countries on a daily basis .
When a situation deteriorates significantly , it will often change its travel advice to warn against some travel to that country - as they did for China .
Any changes to FCO guidance place a requirement on travel firms to take that into consideration .
Sometimes , insurers will not pay out if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FCO advice .
In other cases , it may be necessary to seek insurance that covers a person for specific scenarios - such as if they travel with pre-existing medical conditions .
The Association of British Insurers ( ABI ) recommends people speak to their insurers to make sure they are covered .
I 'm over 65 or someone in my party is over 65 - should we travel ?
The Foreign Office and Public Health England offers no specific advice - despite the fact that the majority of those diagnosed with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have been older people .
If the holiday I have booked in the future is in an area that becomes affected by coronavirus , what happens ?
If your package holiday is booked with an ABTA-affiliated company and the FCO changes its advice about your destination before the trip - advising against travel - your travel company should get in touch to discuss options with you .
If only certain parts of the trip are affected , you may be offered an alternative , but you are not obliged to accept it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If there is some time to go before your holiday , tour operators will wait before offering refunds or alternatives .
ABTA says : `` The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice is in relation to imminent departures and it is too early to say that your holiday ca n't go ahead as planned .
Therefore , customers with future departure dates will be required to wait to find out whether the advice changes and their holiday can continue as planned . ''
What happens if FCO travel advice to my destination has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not advising against travelling to your destination , but you decide not to go anyway , you wo n't be entitled to compensation .
Will I be able to claim on my insurance ?
It depends on your insurance policy - and this is why the ABI recommends finding a policy that covers you in the event of the scenarios that you think are most likely to occur .
In any event , you should contact your tour operator or your accommodation provider in the first instance , as you will have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy .
Depending on your insurance policy , you might then be able to claim for non-refundable costs .
Mark Shepherd , ABI 's head of general insurance , says : `` The most relevant parts of the travel insurance policy wording are likely to be under 'travel disruption ' or cancellation cover .
`` Sometimes these are included as standard or sometimes they are sold at an additional premium as an add-on to more basic cover .
`` It is important to note that this will not cover a claim where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cover that they may be unable to travel .
`` Travel insurance policies do differ , but in general cancellation cover or travel disruption cover is linked to the FCO 's advice .
Stuart Lloyd , travel insurance expert at Columbus Direct , added : `` Choosing not to go on holiday due to fear of contracting Coronavirus or any other illness , is not something that your travel insurance would provide cover for .
`` So , if you are due to travel to a country or region that the FCO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but cancel the trip anyway , this will definitely not be covered .
`` If holiday makers decide to go ahead with their trips , as long as these are to areas that the FCO has not advised against travelling to , their medical costs will be covered and assistance will be provided if they are diagnosed with the virus while travelling . ''
If my flight is cancelled , what can I do ?
A cancellation because of the coronavirus would be treated the same way as a cancellation because of extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an airport in Britain and the EU is still protected under European law despite Brexit .
Depending on the circumstances , you can claim compensation from the airline - and sometimes a new flight or a refund - if a flight is substantially delayed or cancelled .
If the firm that operates the package holiday I am booked on collapses as a result of the coronavirus outbreak , am I protected ?
If you have booked a package holiday in the UK , it must have ATOL protection .
In the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aims to minimise the disruption .
If you are yet to travel , you will receive a refund or replacement .
If you are on holiday , they will get you home .
Many travellers are nervous after what happened aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship , which was quarantined for weeks off the coast of Japan .
During the two-week period , 690 people ended up testing positive for COVID-19 out of 3,700 on board .
Some scientists have suggested that the ship may have been an incubator for the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken action to prevent further cruises becoming infected , but experts say the ships can be an increased source of respiratory diseases .
The Cruise Lines International Association , an industry body , said : `` In co-ordination with cruise lines , medical experts and regulators around the world , CLIA and its member lines will continue to closely monitor for new developments related to the coronavirus and will modify these policies as necessary with the utmost consideration for the health and safety of passengers and crew .
`` With strict measures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international health authorities , CLIA and its member lines do not believe restrictions on the movement of ships are justified .
`` Importantly , the cruise industry is one of the most well-equipped and experienced when it comes to managing and monitoring health conditions of those on board , with outbreak prevention and response measures in place year-round . ''
What if I or someone in my party gets sick before the holiday and are unable to travel ?
Getting money back for a cancellation will depend on whether you bought travel insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Someone must be named on the insurance policy in order to benefit from it .
The ABI stresses that you should read a policy in full before making a purchase .
What if I am on holiday and my location becomes affected by coronavirus ?
First and foremost , find out the advice that health authorities in the area are providing to local people and follow that .
Next , see if the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have updated their advice .
If a border has closed and I am unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens ?
The ABI 's Mark Shepherd says : `` Where countries are closing borders and not letting people in , there would n't , in general , be an obligation on the insurer to pay claims in these circumstances .
`` These are border decisions of individual countries , but we would advise policy holders to speak to their travel insurer in such instances . ''
What happens if I get quarantined after my return ?
Many of those who have returned from locked-down areas of northern Italy had little warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
It begs the question of whether employees have any protection if they are forced to take time off from work when they are not actually sick .
Many employers will take a pragmatic view , preferring employees who may put their business at risk to stay away if there is even the slightest chance they have COVID-19 .
But the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development , which represents HR professionals , is advising businesses they need to have a range of policies in place .
The CIPD says : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-being during a global health emergency like the coronavirus outbreak should be paramount .
`` Employers have a statutory duty of care for people 's health and safety and to provide a safe place to work , but there 's also a strong moral responsibility to ensure that employees feel safe and secure in their employment . ''
Would it be better to stay in the UK ?
The situation remains fluid .
It is uncertain whether booking a holiday in the UK rather than going abroad would be safer - particularly considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where cases have been suspected .
UK tourist authorities say it is too early to determine whether the coronavirus is having an impact on bookings , but they have acknowledged it could have an effect .
Pete Waters , executive director of Visit East of England said : `` The situation could become similar to recent years when there have been terror attacks in Europe and Tunisia - people naturally fear for their security and more took the decision to staycation in the UK .
`` You can imagine a similar thing will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more outbreaks .
People will want to be safe and not take risks .
`` Nobody can confidently predict what will happen with this terrible epidemic , but if anyone booking a holiday has concerns about coronavirus abroad , then I know they will find a very warm welcome should they decide to stay in a UK location . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Tourist authorities in Cumbria , where business say they have seen a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese people but are yet to see further effects , also encouraged people to consider a staycation if they are worried about going abroad .
Cumbria Tourism 's Gill Haigh says : `` We are increasing our focus and spend on generating increased domestic staycations , particularly ahead of the upcoming Easter break .
These will be particularly themed around cosy themes and aimed at couples ( older and younger ) and families with older children .
`` If you 're still deciding on where to spend your much-deserved holiday this year there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cumbria . ''

With coronavirus cases confirmed in Italy and Spain, many people are getting anxious about how this could affect their holidays.
So what is the advice if you have a holiday outside of the UK coming up - or if you're thinking of booking one?
To begin with, it is worth keeping a close eye on the latest advice from the Foreign Office website, as this is where all travel and leisure companies are getting their guidance from.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 Tenerife hotel on lockdown
Industry bodies advise booking with established and trustworthy companies - and, if possible, with businesses that offer a degree of protection.
They also recommend that holidaymakers get travel insurance, and that people follow advice from Public Health England while they are abroad.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updates travel advice for individual countries on a daily basis. When a situation deteriorates significantly, it will often change its travel advice to warn against some travel to that country - as they did for China.
Any changes to FCO guidance place a requirement on travel firms to take that into consideration.
Sometimes, insurers will not pay out if it appears a person has not followed FCO advice.
Image: A young tourist wearing a protective and a Carnival mask in Venice
In other cases, it may be necessary to seek insurance that covers a person for specific scenarios - such as if they travel with pre-existing medical conditions.
Advertisement
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) recommends people speak to their insurers to make sure they are covered.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:31 Coronavirus: How worried should we be?
I'm over 65 or someone in my party is over 65 - should we travel?
The Foreign Office and Public Health England offers no specific advice - despite the fact that the majority of those diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, have been older people.
Image: Many businesses in parts of northern Italy have shut due to coronavirus
If the holiday I have booked in the future is in an area that becomes affected by coronavirus, what happens?
If your package holiday is booked with an ABTA-affiliated company and the FCO changes its advice about your destination before the trip - advising against travel - your travel company should get in touch to discuss options with you.
If only certain parts of the trip are affected, you may be offered an alternative, but you are not obliged to accept it and can claim a full refund.
If there is some time to go before your holiday, tour operators will wait before offering refunds or alternatives.
ABTA says: "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice is in relation to imminent departures and it is too early to say that your holiday can't go ahead as planned. Therefore, customers with future departure dates will be required to wait to find out whether the advice changes and their holiday can continue as planned."
Image: Tourists wearing face masks visit St Peter's Square in Rome
What happens if FCO travel advice to my destination has not changed?
If the Foreign Office is not advising against travelling to your destination, but you decide not to go anyway, you won't be entitled to compensation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Health sec 'pretty worried' about COVID-19
Will I be able to claim on my insurance?
It depends on your insurance policy - and this is why the ABI recommends finding a policy that covers you in the event of the scenarios that you think are most likely to occur.
In any event, you should contact your tour operator or your accommodation provider in the first instance, as you will have a contract with them that covers their cancellation policy.
Depending on your insurance policy, you might then be able to claim for non-refundable costs.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:14 China practises COVID-19 takedown procedure
Mark Shepherd, ABI's head of general insurance, says: "The most relevant parts of the travel insurance policy wording are likely to be under 'travel disruption' or cancellation cover.
"Sometimes these are included as standard or sometimes they are sold at an additional premium as an add-on to more basic cover.
"It is important to note that this will not cover a claim where the customer knew at the time of purchasing the cover that they may be unable to travel.
"Travel insurance policies do differ, but in general cancellation cover or travel disruption cover is linked to the FCO's advice.
Stuart Lloyd, travel insurance expert at Columbus Direct, added: "Choosing not to go on holiday due to fear of contracting Coronavirus or any other illness, is not something that your travel insurance would provide cover for.
"So, if you are due to travel to a country or region that the FCO has not advised against travelling to, but cancel the trip anyway, this will definitely not be covered.
"If holiday makers decide to go ahead with their trips, as long as these are to areas that the FCO has not advised against travelling to, their medical costs will be covered and assistance will be provided if they are diagnosed with the virus while travelling."
Image: Tourists wearing sanitary masks walk in downtown Milan, Italy
If my flight is cancelled, what can I do?
A cancellation because of the coronavirus would be treated the same way as a cancellation because of extreme weather conditions.
Any flight to or from an airport in Britain and the EU is still protected under European law despite Brexit.
Depending on the circumstances, you can claim compensation from the airline - and sometimes a new flight or a refund - if a flight is substantially delayed or cancelled.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
If the firm that operates the package holiday I am booked on collapses as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, am I protected?
If you have booked a package holiday in the UK, it must have ATOL protection.
In the event of a company collapse, this scheme aims to minimise the disruption.
If you are yet to travel, you will receive a refund or replacement. If you are on holiday, they will get you home.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 Briton who had COVID-19 calls quarantine 'a joke'
Should I book a cruise?
Many travellers are nervous after what happened aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined for weeks off the coast of Japan.
During the two-week period, 690 people ended up testing positive for COVID-19 out of 3,700 on board. Some scientists have suggested that the ship may have been an incubator for the virus.
The cruise ship industry says it has taken action to prevent further cruises becoming infected, but experts say the ships can be an increased source of respiratory diseases.
Image: Passengers have finally been allowed to disembark the Diamond Princess
The Cruise Lines International Association, an industry body, said: "In co-ordination with cruise lines, medical experts and regulators around the world, CLIA and its member lines will continue to closely monitor for new developments related to the coronavirus and will modify these policies as necessary with the utmost consideration for the health and safety of passengers and crew.
"With strict measures in place, as guided by national and international health authorities, CLIA and its member lines do not believe restrictions on the movement of ships are justified.
"Importantly, the cruise industry is one of the most well-equipped and experienced when it comes to managing and monitoring health conditions of those on board, with outbreak prevention and response measures in place year-round."
Image: Thousands of people are being quarantined in northern Italy
What if I or someone in my party gets sick before the holiday and are unable to travel?
Getting money back for a cancellation will depend on whether you bought travel insurance in advance, and what your policy says.
Someone must be named on the insurance policy in order to benefit from it.
The ABI stresses that you should read a policy in full before making a purchase.
What if I am on holiday and my location becomes affected by coronavirus?
First and foremost, find out the advice that health authorities in the area are providing to local people and follow that.
Next, see if the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have updated their advice.
Image: This is what COVID-19 looks like under the microscope. Pic: NIAID-RML
If a border has closed and I am unable to travel onwards to my destination, what happens?
The ABI's Mark Shepherd says: "Where countries are closing borders and not letting people in, there wouldn't, in general, be an obligation on the insurer to pay claims in these circumstances.
"These are border decisions of individual countries, but we would advise policy holders to speak to their travel insurer in such instances."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Patient celebrates his release from quarantine
What happens if I get quarantined after my return?
Many of those who have returned from locked-down areas of northern Italy had little warning that they need to self-isolate and stay at home.
It begs the question of whether employees have any protection if they are forced to take time off from work when they are not actually sick.
Many employers will take a pragmatic view, preferring employees who may put their business at risk to stay away if there is even the slightest chance they have COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:58 Life inside the UK's coronavirus quarantine
But the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, which represents HR professionals, is advising businesses they need to have a range of policies in place.
The CIPD says: "Employees' health, safety and well-being during a global health emergency like the coronavirus outbreak should be paramount.
"Employers have a statutory duty of care for people's health and safety and to provide a safe place to work, but there's also a strong moral responsibility to ensure that employees feel safe and secure in their employment."
Image: A couple wear face masks as they walk along the Thames embankment in central London
Would it be better to stay in the UK?
The situation remains fluid. It is uncertain whether booking a holiday in the UK rather than going abroad would be safer - particularly considering schools have been closed in the UK where cases have been suspected.
UK tourist authorities say it is too early to determine whether the coronavirus is having an impact on bookings, but they have acknowledged it could have an effect.
Pete Waters, executive director of Visit East of England said: "The situation could become similar to recent years when there have been terror attacks in Europe and Tunisia - people naturally fear for their security and more took the decision to staycation in the UK.
"You can imagine a similar thing will happen with coronavirus, particularly if there are more outbreaks. People will want to be safe and not take risks.
"Nobody can confidently predict what will happen with this terrible epidemic, but if anyone booking a holiday has concerns about coronavirus abroad, then I know they will find a very warm welcome should they decide to stay in a UK location."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Tourist authorities in Cumbria, where business say they have seen a drop in the number of bookings from Chinese people but are yet to see further effects, also encouraged people to consider a staycation if they are worried about going abroad.
Cumbria Tourism's Gill Haigh says: "We are increasing our focus and spend on generating increased domestic staycations, particularly ahead of the upcoming Easter break. These will be particularly themed around cosy themes and aimed at couples (older and younger) and families with older children.
"If you're still deciding on where to spend your much-deserved holiday this year there's no better place to be than Cumbria."


news--2020-02-26--Disney shocks investors as CEO steps down with immediate effect

Disney shares have tripped up following shock news that its chief executive of 15 years , Bob Iger , has stepped down with immediate effect .
The company said the 69-year old , credited with steering a massive expansion of its entertainment interests , would remain executive chairman until the conclusion of his contract .
He will be replaced by Bob Chapek , the chairman of Disney 's parks , experiences and products business .
Mr Iger told investors and reporters that - in addition to his duties leading the board - he would spend more time on Disney 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the newly acquired Fox studios and the Hulu and Disney Plus streaming services .
He said he could not do that while running Disney on a day-to-day basis .
`` It was not accelerated for any particular reason other than I felt the need was now to make this change , '' Mr Iger insisted .
He added that the conclusion of the $ 71bn ( £60bn ) purchase of Fox 's entertainment business in March and launch of Disney Plus provided the `` optimal time '' for a transition .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases of Lucasfilm , the company behind the Star Wars franchise , as well as Marvel and Pixar .
Mr Chapek and Mr Iger stressed that Disney would continue on the direction it had already been taking , though the new CEO admitted that the parks division is currently under strain because of the coronavirus , as attractions in Hong Kong and Shanghai remain closed .
He told Sky News sister channel CNBC the outbreak may be a `` bump in the road '' , but the company could weather it given `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iger confirmed he had no plans to remain at Disney beyond next year and shares were trading 2 % down in after-hours trading .
He could , perhaps , launch a bid for the White House in 2024 .
The executive , who began his career as a weatherman , told Vogue in 2018 that he had started seriously exploring a run for president because he is `` horrified at the state of politics in America today '' , but the Fox deal stopped his plans .

Disney shares have tripped up following shock news that its chief executive of 15 years, Bob Iger, has stepped down with immediate effect.
The company said the 69-year old, credited with steering a massive expansion of its entertainment interests, would remain executive chairman until the conclusion of his contract.
He will be replaced by Bob Chapek, the chairman of Disney's parks, experiences and products business.
Image: Bob Iger snapped up the Star Wars franchise during his 15 years in charge at Disney
Mr Iger told investors and reporters that - in addition to his duties leading the board - he would spend more time on Disney's content platforms including the ESPN sports network, the newly acquired Fox studios and the Hulu and Disney Plus streaming services.
He said he could not do that while running Disney on a day-to-day basis.
"It was not accelerated for any particular reason other than I felt the need was now to make this change," Mr Iger insisted.
He added that the conclusion of the $71bn (£60bn) purchase of Fox's entertainment business in March and launch of Disney Plus provided the "optimal time" for a transition.
Mr Iger's tenure also included the successful purchases of Lucasfilm, the company behind the Star Wars franchise, as well as Marvel and Pixar.
Image: Bob Iger and Rupert Murdoch are pictured together after agreeing terms of the Fox asset sale to Disney. Pic: Disney
Mr Chapek and Mr Iger stressed that Disney would continue on the direction it had already been taking, though the new CEO admitted that the parks division is currently under strain because of the coronavirus, as attractions in Hong Kong and Shanghai remain closed.
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He told Sky News sister channel CNBC the outbreak may be a "bump in the road", but the company could weather it given "affinity for the brand".
:: Listen to Backstage on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Iger confirmed he had no plans to remain at Disney beyond next year and shares were trading 2% down in after-hours trading.
He could, perhaps, launch a bid for the White House in 2024.
The executive, who began his career as a weatherman, told Vogue in 2018 that he had started seriously exploring a run for president because he is "horrified at the state of politics in America today", but the Fox deal stopped his plans.


news--2020-02-26--Coronavirus crisis: Markets volatile again as COVID-19 spreads in Europe

Global stock markets have endured further volatile trading after two days of huge declines prompted by the coronavirus outbreak .
Markets in Europe including the FTSE 100 were firmly in the red for a third session in a row early on Wednesday but fought back as the day wore on .
In New York , the Dow Jones opened in positive territory having fallen by 1,900 points over the previous two sessions but turned negative later and closed a further 124 points , or 0.5 % , lower .
The early falls came as a growing number of companies warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - with Dutch airline KLM warning of a `` very significant '' hit to revenues and Lufthansa announcing a cost recruitment freeze in response to the crisis .
In the UK , FTSE 100 drinks giant Diageo was the latest major firm to endure investor pressure after putting a figure on lost sales in China .
The latest updates came after two days of heavy stock market losses this week had already seen nearly £100bn erased from the value of the FTSE 100 's constituent companies .
That grim start to the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the disease caused by the coronavirus , accelerated in European nations including Italy , Spain , Austria and Croatia .
Meanwhile , a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning , on Tuesday , that Americans should prepare for the spread of coronavirus in the United States added to the risk-off sentiment globally .
Wednesday began with the Nikkei in Japan among the notable fallers as the Tokyo Olympics came into sharp focus , leading to steep falls in companies exposed to any postponement or cancellation .
Japan has said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The FTSE 100 's initial sell-off saw it sink to levels not seen since January last year - below the 7,000 points barrier - 1.7 % down at one stage prompting authorities in City history to highlight an unwelcome fact .
David Buik of Aquis Exchange noted that the FTSE 100 was trading at levels witnessed at the start of the 21st Century .
However , values had recovered somewhat by the close to be slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ index back above 7,000 .
House builders such as Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Developments were leading the fallers while some of those to have suffered losses earlier in the week - such as banking giant HSBC - recovered .
Shares in Diageo - the global drinks giant with brands including Guinness and Johnnie Walker whisky - fell almost 3 % at the open after it warned that the COVID-19 outbreak could hit sales in Asia by up to £325m during 2020 .
Its statement pointed to the impact of restrictions on the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did not include a global estimate at this stage .
`` The COVID-19 situation is dynamic and continues to evolve and these ranges exclude any impact of the COVID-19 situation on other markets beyond those mentioned ... We will continue to monitor the situation closely , '' Diageo said .
The shares closed 0.9 % down on the day .
Food group Danone also cut its 2020 guidance because of supply problems in China while miner Rio Tinto told investors it expected a short-term impact .
Another UK-listed firm to warn of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets such as Upper Crust in airports and train stations globally .
It forecast a 50 % plunge in February sales across the Asia-Pacific region which accounts for 8 % of its business .
Travel and holiday company stocks have taken the hardest beating this week over fears resorts could be declared off-limits for travellers amid efforts to contain the outbreak .
Ipek Ozkardeskaya , senior analyst at Swissquote Bank , saw no end to the volatility .
He said of the market mood : `` In the dearth of important economic data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus on the economy .
`` We expect to see a bigger crowd of sellers due to the mounting coronavirus crisis in Europe . ''

Global stock markets have endured further volatile trading after two days of huge declines prompted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Markets in Europe including the FTSE 100 were firmly in the red for a third session in a row early on Wednesday but fought back as the day wore on.
In New York, the Dow Jones opened in positive territory having fallen by 1,900 points over the previous two sessions but turned negative later and closed a further 124 points, or 0.5%, lower.
The early falls came as a growing number of companies warned of financial hits from the coronavirus outbreak - with Dutch airline KLM warning of a "very significant" hit to revenues and Lufthansa announcing a cost recruitment freeze in response to the crisis.
In the UK, FTSE 100 drinks giant Diageo was the latest major firm to endure investor pressure after putting a figure on lost sales in China.
The latest updates came after two days of heavy stock market losses this week had already seen nearly £100bn erased from the value of the FTSE 100's constituent companies.
That grim start to the week for shares came as cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, accelerated in European nations including Italy, Spain, Austria and Croatia.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 British business not immune to COVID-19
Meanwhile, a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning, on Tuesday, that Americans should prepare for the spread of coronavirus in the United States added to the risk-off sentiment globally.
Wednesday began with the Nikkei in Japan among the notable fallers as the Tokyo Olympics came into sharp focus, leading to steep falls in companies exposed to any postponement or cancellation.
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Japan has said the games will go ahead as scheduled.
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The FTSE 100's initial sell-off saw it sink to levels not seen since January last year - below the 7,000 points barrier - 1.7% down at one stage prompting authorities in City history to highlight an unwelcome fact.
David Buik of Aquis Exchange noted that the FTSE 100 was trading at levels witnessed at the start of the 21st Century.
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However, values had recovered somewhat by the close to be slightly ahead on the day, with the index back above 7,000.
House builders such as Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Developments were leading the fallers while some of those to have suffered losses earlier in the week - such as banking giant HSBC - recovered.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 Coronavirus: market sell-off 'just the first stage'
Shares in Diageo - the global drinks giant with brands including Guinness and Johnnie Walker whisky - fell almost 3% at the open after it warned that the COVID-19 outbreak could hit sales in Asia by up to £325m during 2020.
Its statement pointed to the impact of restrictions on the movement of people to date and, pointedly, did not include a global estimate at this stage.
"The COVID-19 situation is dynamic and continues to evolve and these ranges exclude any impact of the COVID-19 situation on other markets beyond those mentioned... We will continue to monitor the situation closely," Diageo said.
The shares closed 0.9% down on the day.
Image: Diageo's brands include Smirnoff vodka, Guinness and Johnnie Walker
Food group Danone also cut its 2020 guidance because of supply problems in China while miner Rio Tinto told investors it expected a short-term impact.
Another UK-listed firm to warn of woes was SSP, which operates food outlets such as Upper Crust in airports and train stations globally.
It forecast a 50% plunge in February sales across the Asia-Pacific region which accounts for 8% of its business.
SSP shares closed nearly 5% lower.
Travel and holiday company stocks have taken the hardest beating this week over fears resorts could be declared off-limits for travellers amid efforts to contain the outbreak.
Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, saw no end to the volatility.
He said of the market mood: "In the dearth of important economic data, investors will continue gauging the impacts of the coronavirus on the economy.
"We expect to see a bigger crowd of sellers due to the mounting coronavirus crisis in Europe."


news--2020-02-26--Coronavirus: Dele Alli charged with misconduct after mocking outbreak

Tottenham star Dele Alli has been charged with misconduct after he appeared to mock an Asian man over the coronavirus outbreak , the Football Association has announced .
The England midfielder posted a video on Snapchat poking fun at the deadly virus while also singling out a man of Asian appearance in an airport .
He hastily deleted the video and posted an apology on the Chinese platform Weibo .
The FA will now rule on whether the clip was insulting , improper or brought the game into disrepute .
Alli 's video may have constituted a further breach because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality '' .
Alli , 23 , could face a hefty fine and a suspension if he is found guilty .
The footballer was seen wearing a mask in the video while a group of people who are believed to have Chinese accents can be heard in the background .
Alli then turns the camera towards an unsuspecting man of Asian appearance .
The video then pans to a bottle of antiseptic hand wash , which was captioned : `` This virus gunna ( sic ) have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me . ''
The FA said in statement : `` Dele Alli has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a social media post .
`` It is alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder 's post breaches FA Rule E3 ( 1 ) as it was insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute .
`` It is further alleged that the post constitutes an `` aggravated breach '' , which is defined in FA Rule E3 ( 2 ) , as it included a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality .
`` He has until Thursday 5 March 2020 to provide a response . ''
Any ruling would be subject to an appeal which means the case may not be concluded until mid-March .
After taking the video down , Alli posted on Weibo : `` It was n't funny and I realised that immediately and took it down .
I let myself down and the club .
`` I do n't want you to have that impression of me because it was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took it down .
`` It is n't something that should be joked about .
I 'm sending all my love and all my thoughts and prayers to everyone in China . ''
Tottenham boss Mourinho will be dreading a ban as it would leave him with fewer attacking options following possible season-ending injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min .

Tottenham star Dele Alli has been charged with misconduct after he appeared to mock an Asian man over the coronavirus outbreak, the Football Association has announced.
The England midfielder posted a video on Snapchat poking fun at the deadly virus while also singling out a man of Asian appearance in an airport.
He hastily deleted the video and posted an apology on the Chinese platform Weibo.
The FA will now rule on whether the clip was insulting, improper or brought the game into disrepute.
Alli's video may have constituted a further breach because it included a reference to "race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality".
Alli, 23, could face a hefty fine and a suspension if he is found guilty.
The footballer was seen wearing a mask in the video while a group of people who are believed to have Chinese accents can be heard in the background.
Alli then turns the camera towards an unsuspecting man of Asian appearance.
Image: Dele Alli could be hit with a hefty fine and suspension if found guilty of the charge
The video then pans to a bottle of antiseptic hand wash, which was captioned: "This virus gunna (sic) have to be quicker than that to catch me."
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The FA said in statement: "Dele Alli has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a social media post.
"It is alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder's post breaches FA Rule E3(1) as it was insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.
"It is further alleged that the post constitutes an "aggravated breach", which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality.
"He has until Thursday 5 March 2020 to provide a response."
Any ruling would be subject to an appeal which means the case may not be concluded until mid-March.
After taking the video down, Alli posted on Weibo: "It wasn't funny and I realised that immediately and took it down. I let myself down and the club.
"I don't want you to have that impression of me because it wasn't funny and I realised that straight away and took it down.
"It isn't something that should be joked about. I'm sending all my love and all my thoughts and prayers to everyone in China."
Tottenham boss Mourinho will be dreading a ban as it would leave him with fewer attacking options following possible season-ending injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.


news--2020-02-25--Fewer than half COVID-19 carriers detected by screening, study finds

Screening travellers for COVID-19 will detect the virus in fewer than half of those infected , a new study suggests .
Governments around the world have introduced screening , including taking temperatures and health questionnaires , in an attempt to detect anybody with the virus as they enter or leave a country .
But a team of scientists who previously looked at screening for Ebola , SARS and MERS in 2015 has found the nature of COVID-19 means screening is not very effective .
Their study , published in the eLife scientific journal , suggests travellers who were infected but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough - were the main reason screening did not work well .
They also said they could not rule out that large numbers of cases are being transmitted by children who are not showing symptoms , with very few under 20s recorded as having contracted the virus so far .
One of the authors , Dr Adam Kucharski , infectious disease epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , told Sky News : `` If you have a lot of people who travel in the incubation period they probably wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be picked up by screening .
`` There 's a lot of uncertainty about contact with people who are infected .
Chances are you 're going to miss the majority of them through screening . ''
He explained that the team built on their previous study and developed a virtual screening process to look at how many infected people would be detected .
Dr Kucharski added : `` A lot of the evidence , looking at international cases , a lot were n't picked up at airports .
`` There is varying screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how wealthy or not they are .
`` If you 're relying solely on screening to detect those with COVID-19 , it wo n't happen .
`` There needs to be secondary testing and information given to passengers on what to do if they develop symptoms or find out they have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 .
`` The British government is doing this and it is really important as that is how we can stop it spreading . ''
England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transport could be necessary to contain the virus .
`` There 's no secret there 's a variety of things you need to look at , you look at things like school closures , you look at things like reducing transport , '' he said .
Families could also be asked to self-isolate if one of them had symptoms .
The study suggests there should be two successive fever screening stations at airports , ports or anywhere screening is being carried out to increase reliability .
It said as risk factors become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify more potential cases .
A rapid test would be beneficial , with the authors saying at least one SARS test claimed to take less than an hour , although they acknowledged this could be expensive .
What to do if you are travelling Dr Kucharski said it is important to follow guidelines on what to do if you are travelling to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 .
He added : `` There are obviously regions that are higher risk than others , but any travellers need to follow guidelines closely because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the guidelines change , think about how that might affect you .
Remember , there is potential for transmission to occur when symptoms are not showing . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Everybody should be vigilant about reducing the risk of infection , especially as it is winter , Dr Kucharski said .
He added : `` At this stage , getting into those good habits is a good idea .
`` Good hand washing and not touching your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show symptoms , then follow guidance and try to reduce risk of transmission by self-isolating . ''
He added that for those who are well , wearing a face mask will not help and may make people touch their faces even more .
Masks will have slightly more effect for those who are ill , to help prevent spreading , but he said self-isolating is better than wearing a face mask .

Screening travellers for COVID-19 will detect the virus in fewer than half of those infected, a new study suggests.
Governments around the world have introduced screening, including taking temperatures and health questionnaires, in an attempt to detect anybody with the virus as they enter or leave a country.
But a team of scientists who previously looked at screening for Ebola, SARS and MERS in 2015 has found the nature of COVID-19 means screening is not very effective.
Image: The study found lots of people do not show symptoms although they have the virus
Their study, published in the eLife scientific journal, suggests travellers who were infected but showed no symptoms - fever or a cough - were the main reason screening did not work well.
They also said they could not rule out that large numbers of cases are being transmitted by children who are not showing symptoms, with very few under 20s recorded as having contracted the virus so far.
Infected travellers showing no symptoms
One of the authors, Dr Adam Kucharski, infectious disease epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told Sky News: "If you have a lot of people who travel in the incubation period they probably won't have developed symptoms so won't be picked up by screening.
"There's a lot of uncertainty about contact with people who are infected. Chances are you're going to miss the majority of them through screening."
He explained that the team built on their previous study and developed a virtual screening process to look at how many infected people would be detected.
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Image: Airports around the world have introduced screening
Dr Kucharski added: "A lot of the evidence, looking at international cases, a lot weren't picked up at airports.
"There is varying screening ability in countries, usually depending on how wealthy or not they are.
"If you're relying solely on screening to detect those with COVID-19, it won't happen.
"There needs to be secondary testing and information given to passengers on what to do if they develop symptoms or find out they have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
"The British government is doing this and it is really important as that is how we can stop it spreading."
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has suggested the widespread closure of schools and limiting public transport could be necessary to contain the virus.
"There's no secret there's a variety of things you need to look at, you look at things like school closures, you look at things like reducing transport," he said.
Families could also be asked to self-isolate if one of them had symptoms.
The study suggests there should be two successive fever screening stations at airports, ports or anywhere screening is being carried out to increase reliability.
It said as risk factors become better known, questionnaires could be refined to identify more potential cases.
A rapid test would be beneficial, with the authors saying at least one SARS test claimed to take less than an hour, although they acknowledged this could be expensive.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Health sec 'pretty worried' about COVID-19
What to do if you are travelling
Dr Kucharski said it is important to follow guidelines on what to do if you are travelling to protect yourself from getting COVID-19.
He added: "There are obviously regions that are higher risk than others, but any travellers need to follow guidelines closely because it's changing very quickly.
"If the guidelines change, think about how that might affect you. Remember, there is potential for transmission to occur when symptoms are not showing."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Helping prevent the spread
Everybody should be vigilant about reducing the risk of infection, especially as it is winter, Dr Kucharski said.
He added: "At this stage, getting into those good habits is a good idea.
"Good hand washing and not touching your face is essential.
"If people show symptoms, then follow guidance and try to reduce risk of transmission by self-isolating."
He added that for those who are well, wearing a face mask will not help and may make people touch their faces even more.
Masks will have slightly more effect for those who are ill, to help prevent spreading, but he said self-isolating is better than wearing a face mask.


news--2020-02-24--Coronavirus: Wuhan volunteer describes what it is like to have COVID-19

A beautician who contracted COVID-19 while running a team delivering essential supplies to struggling hospitals in Wuhan has spoken to Sky News about what it is like to have the virus .
Li Xiaoxiong , 29 , donated £1,500 worth of masks to a nearby hospital on the day the city was placed on lockdown and was then asked by many other hospitals to help out .
After giving a lift to a doctor , Ms Li contracted COVID-19 and is now being treated in one of the makeshift hospitals the government built in a week .
She has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital , where she still is , and about delivering supplies .
Ms Li spoke to Sky News about her experience in Wuhan .
The lockdown on Wuhan started on 23 January at 10am .
This was a very serious move , considering no city was locked down during SARS .
By midday on 23 January a WeChat post spread everywhere .
It was from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University saying it was in urgent need of masks and overalls , and it was calling for the whole city to help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , so I thought I could buy something myself and send them to the hospital .
So I left my contact details on the internet .
I bought 14,000 yuan ( £1,542 ) worth of masks and took them there .
My contact details spread everywhere during the process .
Afterwards , many other hospitals contacted me , saying they were also lacking in medical supplies and asking me if I could donate some masks to them .
I received tonnes of calls that day , and within one hour or so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered to hospitals .
But I only have one car so I asked if other car owners would be willing to deliver medical supplies with me .
By the end of that day , there were more than 80 members in our team .
I did n't expect to do this at all .
It 's just so many people saw my contact details and asked for help .
I just could n't say no .
We now have about 60 volunteer groups driving , some of them sleep in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus to their families and many get up very early to load up vegetables and drive them to hospitals .
It 's really not easy work but they 've decided to help others .
We 've had a lot of support along the way , for example the local Red Cross and hospitals helped us get vehicle passes to get around the traffic ban .
I get calls from all over the country every day asking to donate money and materials to us .
They have n't abandoned us because it 's happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We owe them a lot of thank yous .
When I first started the driving groups , to be honest , people felt desperate .
Everyone did .
When I picked up doctors , they cried and said they could n't get N95 masks or overalls , and all they had were very basic gowns to see and treat patients with fever .
They said they could n't continue , and it was not because they were afraid of the tiring and difficult work , but because they felt alone .
Just around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was interviewed and said Wuhan had enough supplies of medical equipment .
But we were driving to hospitals at the same time and told the whole hospital had only a handful of overalls left .
Every single hospital was in such an extreme shortage of supplies that doctors were crying .
They were very , very desperate .
The state said they 'd given a lot of funding to Wuhan , but hospitals could n't buy anything - the logistics were cut off !
It felt like Wuhan was abandoned .
Would the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just leave us here to perish ?
No one knows when the epidemic will end .
Everyone was terrified and scared .
Everyone was desperate , thinking we were all going to die and the country would give up on us .
'Only say positive things about Wuhan' I was interviewed by a local Chinese newspaper and I wanted to them to report this so people from other provinces could know what Wuhan 's situation was really like .
But they said I could n't say that .
All I could say was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show how useless the Wuhan government is .
It was just pure despair .
I do n't know about others , but I cried every day at home .
I begged those journalists to write about what was really going on in Wuhan .
They said no .
They said if something negative like this went out they would lose their job .
All they could say was things like the mayor said - medical supplies were enough , the epidemic was not that serious , it was expected to end soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown would be released very soon - all nice and beautiful stuff .
But in fact , the situation was already very serious when the city was locked down .
Some doctors told me their hospitals took more than 100 patients every day .
Exactly the same time the news said Wuhan only had some 400 patients in total .
You saw this beautiful fake news a lot , but you also saw the virus was just around you , affecting you .
The more of this news you read , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doctor and drove them home on 24 January .
But the next day I started to feel unwell so I went to the hospital and the result showed my lungs were infected .
This basically meant I was infected with COVID-19 .
So I went home and started self-isolation .
I stayed at home for four days with a high temperature .
I did n't stay in the same room with my parents , but they were still infected .
Now my entire family is infected .
My father 's condition was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was transferred to Wuhan Tongji Hospital a few days ago .
My mother 's lungs are infected .
The lungs even look white .
But because of the positive result , she is not qualified to get a hospital bed .
So she 's at an isolation point in a hotel and taking medicine .
I was admitted to a makeshift hospital where they have given me traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) every day which was developed by Hunan province .
The hospital gives us two bags of TCM every day for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just taking this , no Western medicine .
To be honest the environment is not bad .
Food is nutritious , even better than at home .
After the state help , you actually feel China is not that bad .
Our treatment and food are free .
Every morning they organise fitness exercises too , like tai chi .
It 's not like we are stuck inside all day .
Air is fresh .
There are portable toilets .
There are sinks and showers .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Spreaker The government managed to build so many makeshift hospitals within such a short time .
Conditions in the makeshift hospital are not that bad .
People are free .
It 's not too different from home - especially now compounds are locked , with only one person in a household allowed to go out every three days , and they must only buy groceries .
People are recovering from the virus My dad is getting better .
Actually people say the virus is serious , but if you start treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will recover .
Many people have been discharged .
It 's not like everyone thinks - you get it and you will die .
My father is not young .
He had a high temperature for six days and fell into a coma , and was sent to A & E .
Even he survived and he 's recovering .
Yesterday his test result came back negative .
Although his lungs still show infection , he is expected to leave the hospital soon .
It is the same with my neighbours .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a while but now they have all recovered and are discharged .
I 've been infected for a long time and the condition is recurring .
But the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests [ which detects HIV 's genetic material and is being used to confirm COVID-19 ] show I 'm positive .
It just ca n't change to negative .
I 'm anxious , but I 'll just stay at this makeshift hospital and take traditional Chinese medicine .
To be honest , China has handled this well .
Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , making people stay at home and working with the government .
Although the first two days of the lockdown were bad , nobody got mad , nobody went into the street and infected other people , they maintained their manners .

A beautician who contracted COVID-19 while running a team delivering essential supplies to struggling hospitals in Wuhan has spoken to Sky News about what it is like to have the virus.
Li Xiaoxiong, 29, donated £1,500 worth of masks to a nearby hospital on the day the city was placed on lockdown and was then asked by many other hospitals to help out.
After giving a lift to a doctor, Ms Li contracted COVID-19 and is now being treated in one of the makeshift hospitals the government built in a week.
She has been recording video diaries of her time in the hospital, where she still is, and about delivering supplies.
Ms Li spoke to Sky News about her experience in Wuhan.
The lockdown on Wuhan started on 23 January at 10am. This was a very serious move, considering no city was locked down during SARS.
Image: Ms Li started the Wuhan Shanyuan Car Team which delivers supplies to hospitals and the elderly and transports medics around
By midday on 23 January a WeChat post spread everywhere. It was from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University saying it was in urgent need of masks and overalls, and it was calling for the whole city to help.
This hospital is not far from my home, so I thought I could buy something myself and send them to the hospital. So I left my contact details on the internet. I bought 14,000 yuan (£1,542) worth of masks and took them there.
My contact details spread everywhere during the process. Afterwards, many other hospitals contacted me, saying they were also lacking in medical supplies and asking me if I could donate some masks to them.
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I received tonnes of calls that day, and within one hour or so I got tens of thousands of masks to be delivered to hospitals.
But I only have one car so I asked if other car owners would be willing to deliver medical supplies with me. By the end of that day, there were more than 80 members in our team.
I didn't expect to do this at all. It's just so many people saw my contact details and asked for help. I just couldn't say no.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:13 Playground in Wuhan disinfected
We now have about 60 volunteer groups driving, some of them sleep in their cars so they do not spread the virus to their families and many get up very early to load up vegetables and drive them to hospitals.
It's really not easy work but they've decided to help others. We've had a lot of support along the way, for example the local Red Cross and hospitals helped us get vehicle passes to get around the traffic ban.
I get calls from all over the country every day asking to donate money and materials to us. They haven't abandoned us because it's happened in Wuhan instead of their home. We owe them a lot of thank yous.
'Doctors were crying'
When I first started the driving groups, to be honest, people felt desperate. Everyone did. When I picked up doctors, they cried and said they couldn't get N95 masks or overalls, and all they had were very basic gowns to see and treat patients with fever.
They said they couldn't continue, and it was not because they were afraid of the tiring and difficult work, but because they felt alone.
Just around the same time, Wuhan's mayor was interviewed and said Wuhan had enough supplies of medical equipment.
Image: Li Xiaoxiong said doctors were crying because they did not have enough protection to do their jobs properly
But we were driving to hospitals at the same time and told the whole hospital had only a handful of overalls left.
Every single hospital was in such an extreme shortage of supplies that doctors were crying. They were very, very desperate.
The state said they'd given a lot of funding to Wuhan, but hospitals couldn't buy anything - the logistics were cut off!
It felt like Wuhan was abandoned. Would the country leave us behind? Would it just leave us here to perish?
No one knows when the epidemic will end. Everyone was terrified and scared. Everyone was desperate, thinking we were all going to die and the country would give up on us.
'Only say positive things about Wuhan'
I was interviewed by a local Chinese newspaper and I wanted to them to report this so people from other provinces could know what Wuhan's situation was really like.
But they said I couldn't say that. All I could say was positive things. Because otherwise it would show how useless the Wuhan government is.
It was just pure despair. I don't know about others, but I cried every day at home. I begged those journalists to write about what was really going on in Wuhan.
Image: The streets of Wuhan are empty as the lockdown continues
They said no. They said if something negative like this went out they would lose their job.
All they could say was things like the mayor said - medical supplies were enough, the epidemic was not that serious, it was expected to end soon, and everything was fine, and the lockdown would be released very soon - all nice and beautiful stuff.
But in fact, the situation was already very serious when the city was locked down.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Hospital constructed in days in Wuhan
Some doctors told me their hospitals took more than 100 patients every day. Exactly the same time the news said Wuhan only had some 400 patients in total.
You saw this beautiful fake news a lot, but you also saw the virus was just around you, affecting you. The more of this news you read, the more desperate you felt.
How I got infected
I picked up a doctor and drove them home on 24 January. But the next day I started to feel unwell so I went to the hospital and the result showed my lungs were infected.
This basically meant I was infected with COVID-19. So I went home and started self-isolation. I stayed at home for four days with a high temperature.
Image: Volunteers in protective suits are disinfected in Wuhan
I didn't stay in the same room with my parents, but they were still infected. Now my entire family is infected.
My father's condition was critical. He received emergency treatment and was transferred to Wuhan Tongji Hospital a few days ago.
My mother's lungs are infected. The lungs even look white. But because of the positive result, she is not qualified to get a hospital bed.
So she's at an isolation point in a hotel and taking medicine.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
Life inside the makeshift hospital
I was admitted to a makeshift hospital where they have given me traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) every day which was developed by Hunan province.
The hospital gives us two bags of TCM every day for pneumonia. Many patients are healed by just taking this, no Western medicine.
Image: Ms Li is in one of Wuhan's temporary hospitals trying to recover from COVID-19
To be honest the environment is not bad. Food is nutritious, even better than at home. After the state help, you actually feel China is not that bad.
Our treatment and food are free. Every morning they organise fitness exercises too, like tai chi.
It's not like we are stuck inside all day. Air is fresh. There are portable toilets. There are sinks and showers.
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The government managed to build so many makeshift hospitals within such a short time.
Conditions in the makeshift hospital are not that bad. People are free. It's not too different from home - especially now compounds are locked, with only one person in a household allowed to go out every three days, and they must only buy groceries.
People are recovering from the virus
My dad is getting better. Actually people say the virus is serious, but if you start treatment early and work with doctors, you will recover.
Many people have been discharged. It's not like everyone thinks - you get it and you will die.
My father is not young. He had a high temperature for six days and fell into a coma, and was sent to A&E. Even he survived and he's recovering.
Image: The streets of Wuhan are empty as the lockdown continues
Yesterday his test result came back negative. Although his lungs still show infection, he is expected to leave the hospital soon. It is the same with my neighbours. Some of them had to use oxygen for a while but now they have all recovered and are discharged.
I've been infected for a long time and the condition is recurring.
But the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests [which detects HIV's genetic material and is being used to confirm COVID-19] show I'm positive. It just can't change to negative.
I'm anxious, but I'll just stay at this makeshift hospital and take traditional Chinese medicine.
To be honest, China has handled this well. Wuhan reacted very fast by closing down the city, making people stay at home and working with the government.
Although the first two days of the lockdown were bad, nobody got mad, nobody went into the street and infected other people, they maintained their manners.


news--2020-02-26--Coronavirus: Guests pictured in pool at Tenerife hotel despite quarantine

Coronavirus : Guests pictured in pool at Tenerife hotel despite quarantine Coronavirus : Guests pictured in pool at Tenerife hotel despite quarantine The hotel was placed in quarantine after a case was confirmed , and it is now completely shut for at least `` the next few days '' Around 160 British tourists stuck in lockdown at a Tenerife hotel over coronavirus fears will have to stay in isolation for 14 days .
Guests described a chaotic response to the outbreak after four people tested positive for the virus that has continued spreading its way through Europe .
They complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some being told to stay indoors but others were seen wandering through the hotel grounds and swimming in the pool .
One holidaymaker was seen in a swimming costume and mask One British holidaymaker told Sky News a note was put under their door telling them to `` stay calm '' and `` not leave your room '' .
But other advice suggested `` people could walk the grounds so long as they were wearing masks '' .
Guests gathered together in a queue for food outside the hotel restaurant Guests were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as standing together in a queue for food in the restaurant .
One said : `` Very confusing what the actual risk/guidance is . ''
Notes passed under room doors warned holidaymakers not to leave their room The exact number of Britons in the hotel is unknown but it is understood that around 160 are stuck there .
The H10 Costa Adeje Palace was placed in quarantine on Monday after an Italian doctor staying there was confirmed as having COVID-19 after coming down with a fever for six days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them have also tested positive for the virus but the other six members of their group tested negative , according to the Canary Islands ' health ministry .
Some guests were pictured swimming in the hotel pool The hotel said it is now completely shut for at least `` the next few days '' in a bid to prevent further infections and anyone with a reservation will be `` contacted and relocated to another H10 Hotel in Tenerife '' .
News all guests would have to be quarantined came from a regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference : `` We have decided to put the guests in the hotel under isolation while they are being actively monitored ... for 14 days . ''
Guests found out about the lockdown when they woke up on Tuesday morning via a note slipped below their door .
The hotel has been closed due to the outbreak Guests have been barred from leaving the hotel • Brazil has confirmed a case in Sao Paulo which makes it the first confirmed case in South America • Some UK hospitals and other medical sites including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus • The government has banned the export of an HIV drug and anti-malaria infection treatment so that they can be tested as potential treatments for COVID-19 • France has confirmed the first French national to have died is a 60-year-old man in Paris • Middle East countries have closed borders with Iran , state media says • Some schools in the UK have closed after students returned from Italy ski trips with `` flu-like symptoms '' • The energy company Chevron says it is closing its office in London 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel is under lockdown Tents have been erected outside the main entrance Medical staff will test hotel guests for the coronavirus The Tenerife hotel has nearly 500 rooms , four pools and a gym , with around 1,000 guests currently staying .
On Tuesday night a doctor visited each room and gave guests a thermometer , telling them to take their temperature twice a day , a British holidaymaker told Sky News .
They added that the doctor told them someone would ring to take the temperatures but nobody had yet .
Photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queue of guests outside the hotel restaurant waiting for food .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The latest measure taken by the hotel came as doctors warned they were growing increasingly concerned about the speed at which COVID-19 is spreading around the world .
France reported three new cases on Wednesday morning , taking its total to 17 , and its second death .
Public health agency director Jerome Salomon said a 60-year-old man had died in Paris on Tuesday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after a Chinese national from Hubei province died in the country last month .
Airports around the world have introduced screening The Lombardy region , which includes Milan , has been hit by coronavirus Dr Nancy Messonnier , of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said the prospect of the outbreak becoming a pandemic is a case of when , not if .
`` It 's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore , but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country will have severe illness , '' she said .
The European outbreak has centred on Italy , where 322 people have been infected and 12 have died .
Most of the cases there are in the north of the country - and the UK Foreign Office is now advising against all but essential travel to the affected Lombardy and Veneto regions .
Among those infected are four children in Lombardy - a four-year-old girl , two 10-year-olds , and a 15-year-old boy .
Lombardy governor Attilio Fontana told Sky Italia they all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a cold '' .
Tourists wear protective masks in Venice after the city 's carnival was cancelled due to COVID-19 The total number of confirmed and suspected cases worldwide has surpassed 81,000 , with 2,763 deaths , according to records being compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US .
The vast majority of the cases are in China , where the outbreak originated and appears to have peaked , but the numbers have risen sharply in other countries in recent days .
South Korea has now reported 1,261 cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's count has surged to over 100. : : Sky News will air a special programme on the COVID-19 outbreak at the 7pm tonight

Around 160 British tourists stuck in lockdown at a Tenerife hotel over coronavirus fears will have to stay in isolation for 14 days.
Guests described a chaotic response to the outbreak after four people tested positive for the virus that has continued spreading its way through Europe.
They complained they were being given conflicting advice - some being told to stay indoors but others were seen wandering through the hotel grounds and swimming in the pool.
Image: One holidaymaker was seen in a swimming costume and mask
Image: Another sunseeker sunbathed wearing a mask
One British holidaymaker told Sky News a note was put under their door telling them to "stay calm" and "not leave your room".
But other advice suggested "people could walk the grounds so long as they were wearing masks".
Image: Guests gathered together in a queue for food outside the hotel restaurant
Guests were also pictured on sun-loungers and in the pool, as well as standing together in a queue for food in the restaurant.
One said: "Very confusing what the actual risk/guidance is."
Image: The H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife
Image: Notes passed under room doors warned holidaymakers not to leave their room
The exact number of Britons in the hotel is unknown but it is understood that around 160 are stuck there.
The H10 Costa Adeje Palace was placed in quarantine on Monday after an Italian doctor staying there was confirmed as having COVID-19 after coming down with a fever for six days.
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His wife and two more Italians travelling with them have also tested positive for the virus but the other six members of their group tested negative, according to the Canary Islands' health ministry.
Image: Some guests were pictured swimming in the hotel pool
The hotel said it is now completely shut for at least "the next few days" in a bid to prevent further infections and anyone with a reservation will be "contacted and relocated to another H10 Hotel in Tenerife".
News all guests would have to be quarantined came from a regional government official, who told a news conference: "We have decided to put the guests in the hotel under isolation while they are being actively monitored... for 14
days."
Guests found out about the lockdown when they woke up on Tuesday morning via a note slipped below their door.
Image: The hotel has been closed due to the outbreak
Image: Guests have been barred from leaving the hotel
In other coronavirus developments:
Brazil has confirmed a case in Sao Paulo which makes it the first confirmed case in South America
Some UK hospitals and other medical sites including GP surgeries will now test flu patients for the coronavirus
The government has banned the export of an HIV drug and anti-malaria infection treatment so that they can be tested as potential treatments for COVID-19
France has confirmed the first French national to have died is a 60-year-old man in Paris
Middle East countries have closed borders with Iran, state media says
Some schools in the UK have closed after students returned from Italy ski trips with "flu-like symptoms"
The energy company Chevron says it is closing its office in London's Canary Wharf over coronavirus fears.
Image: The hotel is under lockdown
Image: Tents have been erected outside the main entrance
Image: Medical staff will test hotel guests for the coronavirus
The Tenerife hotel has nearly 500 rooms, four pools and a gym, with around 1,000 guests currently staying.
On Tuesday night a doctor visited each room and gave guests a thermometer, telling them to take their temperature twice a day, a British holidaymaker told Sky News.
They added that the doctor told them someone would ring to take the temperatures but nobody had yet.
Photos from inside the hotel showed a long queue of guests outside the hotel restaurant waiting for food.
Image: Tourists wearing face masks visit Saint Peter's Square in Vatican Square, Rome
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The latest measure taken by the hotel came as doctors warned they were growing increasingly concerned about the speed at which COVID-19 is spreading around the world.
France reported three new cases on Wednesday morning, taking its total to 17, and its second death.
Public health agency director Jerome Salomon said a 60-year-old man had died in Paris on Tuesday evening - the first French national to have died after a Chinese national from Hubei province died in the country last month.
Image: Airports around the world have introduced screening
Image: The Lombardy region, which includes Milan, has been hit by coronavirus
Dr Nancy Messonnier, of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the prospect of the outbreak becoming a pandemic is a case of when, not if.
"It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen, and how many people in this country will have severe illness," she said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 Iranian minister with COVID-19 sweats on stage
The European outbreak has centred on Italy, where 322 people have been infected and 12 have died.
Most of the cases there are in the north of the country - and the UK Foreign Office is now advising against all but essential travel to the affected Lombardy and Veneto regions.
Among those infected are four children in Lombardy - a four-year-old girl, two 10-year-olds, and a 15-year-old boy.
Lombardy governor Attilio Fontana told Sky Italia they all had mild symptoms that were "little more than a cold".
Image: Tourists wear protective masks in Venice after the city's carnival was cancelled due to COVID-19
The total number of confirmed and suspected cases worldwide has surpassed 81,000, with 2,763 deaths, according to records being compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US.
The vast majority of the cases are in China, where the outbreak originated and appears to have peaked, but the numbers have risen sharply in other countries in recent days.
South Korea has now reported 1,261 cases, including a US soldier, while Iran's count has surged to over 100.
:: Sky News will air a special programme on the COVID-19 outbreak at the 7pm tonight


news--2020-02-26--Coronavirus: Mother stuck in hotel room with two kids tells of frustration

Holidaymaker Liz Davies is one of about 160 Britons at a Tenerife hotel which is on lockdown after an Italian doctor staying there tested positive for the coronavirus .
She is with her two young children and they had been due to fly out from the Spanish island last Sunday .
They got to the airport but the flight was cancelled due to a Sahara Desert sandstorm .
She then tried to get another flight later and returned to the airport for a second time , but that was also axed .
Ms Davies said guests at the four-star H10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus and have been told to wear masks and gloves in public areas .
She tells Sky News about her experience .
We got woken earlier and were delivered some food which was nice because food was very scarce yesterday .
We can go down and get tea and coffee but then we have to go back to our rooms .
We know that the doctors are still waiting to see everyone .
There are a few medical teams who are going around and doing preliminary checks on people - there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking people how they generally feel and taking their temperatures .
And if anyone is showing any signs of anything they 've been given thermometers to keep taking their temperatures .
Teams are keeping an eye on those people .
There was word that some people may be taken to another hotel but that 's not been confirmed by this hotel so it 's a waiting game .
There 's nothing I can do about it .
You just have to accept the process .
It 's frustrating .
I 'm on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are being incredibly patient and understanding .
My kids have watched about 10 episodes of The Simpsons in Spanish so I 'm hoping they are going to improve their Spanish by the time we leave .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker I 've got lots of word searches and puzzle books and card games .
Just taking it easy .
The staff here have been phenomenal .
On the first night there was only 14 members of staff trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't praise them enough for their patience .
They are enduring their own personal stress and they are just caring after people here .
I feel reassured by how the calm staff are treating us and we feel looked after .
I just have to accept the quarantine period which the hotel says is up to 14 days .

Holidaymaker Liz Davies is one of about 160 Britons at a Tenerife hotel which is on lockdown after an Italian doctor staying there tested positive for the coronavirus.
She is with her two young children and they had been due to fly out from the Spanish island last Sunday. They got to the airport but the flight was cancelled due to a Sahara Desert sandstorm.
She then tried to get another flight later and returned to the airport for a second time, but that was also axed.
Ms Davies said guests at the four-star H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel are being tested for coronavirus and have been told to wear masks and gloves in public areas. She tells Sky News about her experience.
Image: Guests wearing masks were seen around the pool
Image: Some were pictured swimming
We got woken earlier and were delivered some food which was nice because food was very scarce yesterday.
We can go down and get tea and coffee but then we have to go back to our rooms. We know that the doctors are still waiting to see everyone.
There are a few medical teams who are going around and doing preliminary checks on people - there are over 900 guests here.
They are asking people how they generally feel and taking their temperatures.
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And if anyone is showing any signs of anything they've been given thermometers to keep taking their temperatures. Teams are keeping an eye on those people.
Image: Holidaymakers in masks queue for the restaurant at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife
There was word that some people may be taken to another hotel but that's not been confirmed by this hotel so it's a waiting game.
There's nothing I can do about it. You just have to accept the process. It's frustrating. I'm on my own here with two young children. They are being incredibly patient and understanding.
My kids have watched about 10 episodes of The Simpsons in Spanish so I'm hoping they are going to improve their Spanish by the time we leave.
Listen to "Coronavirus crisis: Life in lockdown and travel impact | 26 February 2020" on Spreaker. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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I've got lots of word searches and puzzle books and card games. Just taking it easy.
The staff here have been phenomenal. On the first night there was only 14 members of staff trying to service up to 1,000 people.
I can't praise them enough for their patience. They are enduring their own personal stress and they are just caring after people here.
I feel reassured by how the calm staff are treating us and we feel looked after.
I just have to accept the quarantine period which the hotel says is up to 14 days.