Brits told not to leave the country
MOTHER’S Day and Easter were shelved yesterday as travel curbs to fight the coronavirus outbreak hit plans for family holidays and get-togethers.
Brits were told not to travel anywhere in the world unless it is essential.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab advised citizens not to leave the country as other nations shut their borders.
Tens of thousands of Brits could be stranded overseas, with flights around the globe grounded.
The RAF and Royal Navy could be drafted in as a last resort to help repatriate stranded UK nationals, Raab revealed.
Travel within the UK has also been restricted and holiday firms have shut parks and campsites.
Raab told the Commons: “UK travellers abroad now face widespread international border restrictions and lockdowns in various countries, so I have taken the decision to advise British nationals against all non-essential international travel.”
The official Foreign Office advice, which is likely to help affected Brits claim on their travel insurance, will last at least 30 days.
It is thought to be the first time the
Foreign Office has taken the step of advising against all non-essential travel to all parts of the planet since the advisory system was introduced in 1990.
With Brits also advised to avoid all non-essential travel in the UK, holiday camps, B&Bs and theme parks are likely to suffer over the Easter break.
Center Parcs was the first big UK resort to announce plans to close its doors. All five of its villages will shut from Friday until April 16.
The firm said: “We will be in contact with guests due to arrive during the closure period to move their break to a different date or arrange a full refund as soon as we can.”
Meanwhile, many families’ Mother’s Day plans will be hit by the advice to avoid pubs, bars and restaurants.
Trade body UK Hospitality said the sector has suffered a 50 per cent slump in bookings for events, conferences and hotel rooms for the next two to three weeks.