News

Coronavirus public information campaign launched across the UK

The government-funded campaign includes public health advice on how people can protect themselves from infection.

The campaign advises the public to:
• always carry tissues and use them to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin the tissue
• wash hands with soap and water, or use sanitiser gel, to kill germs

The Coronavirus public information poster and Coronavirus public information video are available to share across a channels and public spaces.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

Our highly trained and experienced clinicians are working round the clock to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the UK. The government has detailed plans for how to deal with an outbreak like this. We can all play our part.

Basic hygiene such as washing our hands regularly and using tissues when we cough and sneeze can play an important role in minimising the spread of viruses like this. Today we have launched a UK-wide public information campaign to help the public protect themselves and each other.

Our world-class NHS is well prepared and we are doing everything we can to protect the public.

People who have travelled back from the Hubei province in China within the last 14 days are being asked to:
• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
• if you are in Northern Ireland, call your GP

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere else in China (not including Macao or Hong Kong) to the UK in the last 14 days and develops symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath should immediately self-isolate, even if symptoms are minor, and call NHS 111.

The NHS in London is working with Public Health England and the government to help the public stay  protected from the virus. The UK is extremely well prepared for any potential outbreak of an infectious disease – we are one of the first countries in the world to have developed a test for the new virus.

The government is already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had to prevent further spread, and is in close contact with the World Health Organization and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure the UK is ready for all eventualities.