Covid 19: UK govt urges Britons travelling abroad to return home

The UK government advised all Britons travelling abroad to return home immediately, an hour before Prime Minister was due to address the nation on the coronavirus crisis.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said international travel was becoming "highly limited with the further closure of air routes, land borders and domestic restrictions introduced daily".

“We are strongly urging UK travellers overseas to return home now where and while there are still commercial routes to do so. Around the world, more airlines are suspending flights and more airports are closing, some without any notice," he said on Monday.

The Foreign Office last week advised against all but essential international travel, initially for a period of 30 days. The latest update reflected the pace at which international travel is becoming more difficult, it said, as borders closed and airlines suspended flights.

"Further closures to air routes may come in the next 48 hours, possibly without notice," it said.

The government said travellers should contact their tour operator or airline now to arrange a commercial flight if they want to leave.