UK prompting calls for a blanket travel ban similar to that imposed by the US, Australia and New Zealand because more vulnerable to coronavirus

Countries around the world are starting to push back against travellers from China. Some, including the US, Australia and New Zealand, will not allow people to enter their country from China unless they are a citizen or a close family member of a citizen

The EU is making Britain 'more susceptible to coronavirus' because UK STILL has free movement from the bloc, say critics - as government insists any ban on people who've been to China 'has to be coordinated'

Almost 25,000 people have now been infected within the global outbreak and 493 have died of the infection

Scores of passengers fleeing coronavirus-hit country are pouring into UK a day without being screened

It has prompted involves a blanket travel ban almost like those imposed by US, Australia and New Zealand

But UK remains thought to be sure to EU immigration laws and obligated to fall in line with bloc's decision

The European Union could also be delaying the UK's response to the coronavirus outbreak after it stalled over a choice to ban all direct flights from China and switch away foreign nationals who are to the disease-stricken country within the last 14 days.

Scores of passengers fleeing the coronavirus-hit country are pouring into Britain a day without being properly screened or tested for the virus, prompting involves a blanket travel ban almost like that imposed by the US, Australia and New Zealand.

But the united kingdom remains thought to be sure to EU immigration laws and obligated to fall in line with any decisions on travel restrictions made by the bloc, despite having technically left on January 31.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is currently chairing a Cobra meeting where senior ministers are thought to be thrashing out plans on the UK's next response to the outbreak, which could include imposing the ban for all travellers from China.

But Government sources suggested it might be pointless if Brussels doesn't imitate as passengers could still enter Britain indirectly via another EU state thanks to freedom of movement rules.

'What is that the point in one among you banning flights if none of the others are getting to do it?' a senior government source told MailOnline. 'Because you only get in by an indirect route.'

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: ‘We can monitor flights from China landing back within the UK but we can’t monitor those landing from China within the remainder of Europe. EU freedom of movement does make us more vulnerable.'

The Home Office said it had been unable to verify whether or not UK border force officials could tell if a traveller had been through China within the past 14 days because it could compromise security.

Italy has already taken the dramatic step of banning all flights from the country - a move which is claimed to possess caused deep irritation among European states who want to coordinate a 'joint response'.

The government has already faced huge criticism over its 'shambolic' response to the coronavirus that has claimed almost 500 lives and infected 25,000 worldwide.

It comes after the planet Health Organisation criticised the UK's plea for all 30,000 of its citizens in China to return home, saying it didn't have robust enough screening in situ to affect the influx of returning UK nationals.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr Michael Ryan, executive at WHO, said: ‘A situation where many individuals are potentially leaving the country (China), we don’t believe those individuals are necessarily at the very best risk.

‘But hit or miss measure like that must be accompanied with the required screening and therefore the necessary public health measures to make sure that.’

And WHO director general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus scoffed at the thought of a blanket travel ban, saying it had been unnecessary. He added: ‘We turn all countries to form their decision supported evidence, not just a blanket coverage. Even in China there are provinces with only a few cases, like other countries neighbouring [China] and beyond. i feel that's vital to think about .’

Recent updates within the coronavirus crisis include:

Almost 25,000 people are infected with the coronavirus and 493 people have died

All NHS hospitals in England are ordered to make secure areas for coronavirus testing to 'avoid a surge in emergency departments', consistent with a leaked NHS letter

Hong Kong has announced all travellers from China are going to be quarantined for 2 weeks

10 passengers quarantined on a cruise liner near Japan are diagnosed with the coronavirus

Another cruise ship in Hong Kong is quarantined after three passengers were diagnosed with the virus

Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific tells all staff to require three weeks' unpaid leave while flights are grounded

World Health Organization says the planet remains within its 'window of opportunity' to prevent the outbreak because 'only' 176 cases are reported outside of China

Australian and New Zealand

Source : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7968785/UK-ban-flights-China-block-foreign-citizens-entering.html