Novel coronavirus (Covid-19)

Last updated 17 February 2020

There are currently no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Isle of Man and the risk to the public in the Isle of Man remains low.

Individuals only need to take action if they have travelled to one of the countries mentioned below, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus.

Public Health England (PHE) leads the response to new and emerging threats to health for all four nations of the UK and the Crown Dependencies - including the Isle of Man. Health protection staff within the Public Health Directorate are working with colleagues across our Department of Health and Social Care and across Government to ensure that we are implementing the PHE guidance, which is updated daily to reflect the rapidly evolving situation.

See the latest information and actions for the public on the outbreak of Novel coronavirus (Covid-19), including advice for travellers from Public Health England. You can also find information on the Public Health England blog.

Latest travel advice is available from Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

About coronavirus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Prevention

As with other types of viruses, the best method of preventing the spread of coronavirus is to practice good hand hygiene. You can also prevent spreading by covering your nose and mouth with a disposable, single-use tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing your nose – remember to Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.

Advice for travellers 

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office has advised nationals to leave China where possible. If the situation continues to escalate the pressure on the Chinese health system may intensify, and it may also become harder for people to travel.

Travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province

If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei Province to the Isle of Man in the last 14 days you should immediately:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• call your GP (or MEDS out of hours on +44 1624 650355) to inform them of your recent travel to the area

Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.

Travellers from other parts of China and other specified areas

If you have returned to the Isle of Man from any of the areas mentioned below in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• call your GP (or MEDS out of hours on +44 1624 650355) to inform them of your recent travel to the country.

Affected areas:

• China
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau

Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor.