List of countries Foreign Office advises Britons not to travel to amid coronavirus outbreak

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising Britons not to travel to a growing list of countries around the globe amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The FCO has advised against "all but essential travel" to 31 countries across the world as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to more than 1,500.

The World Health Organisation has reported cases in at least 135 countries, territories or areas.

Countries and areas worldwide have taken similar measures with the United States introducing a travel ban to and from Europe, and a 30 day travel ban on non-essential travel to EU proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

These are the FCO restrictions currently in place:

China

  • The FCO advises against all travel to Hubei province due to the outbreak, and against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China. If you are in China and able to leave, the FCO says you should do so.

Italy

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to all of Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia.

  • Authorities in Italy have advised against travel for tourism purposes and said tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to return to the place where they live.

China was the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. Credit: AP

Spain

  • The FCO updated its advice on Spain in the early hours of March 15, advising against all but essential travel to the whole country.

  • Previously, the Spanish ministry of health declared the areas of Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria, and Miranda de Ebro, as places where there is community transmission of coronavirus and the FCO advised against all but essential travel to those regions.

Denmark

  • British nationals are advised against all but essential travel to the whole country, after Danish authorities announced they would be closing the borders for a month in response to the pandemic. Foreign nationals who "do not have a recognised purpose for entering Denmark" will be barred from entry.

Norway

  • The department advises against all but essential travel to Norway, after the Norwegian authorities said that all non-resident visitors arriving from countries other than Finland and Sweden would be asked to leave Norway on arrival.

  • British nationals legally resident in Norway will be allowed to enter the country but must enter self-quarantine for 14 days.

  • The UK Government has urged all British nationals in Norway who may wish to leave in the near future to consider doing so now while there are still some flights available.

Czech Republic

  • British authorities advise against all but essential travel to the Czech Republic due to a 30-day state of emergency declared on March 12. Prague airport is the sole airport carrying international flights, however many of them are being cancelled.

  • Czech authorities have said anyone who enters the country from the UK or other "at risk" countries will be required to self-isolate.

After China, Italy is the worst-affected country in the world. Credit: AP

Cyprus

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the country due to restrictions on entry put in place by the Cypriot government.

  • It advises: "British nationals in Cyprus should follow the advice of the Cypriot authorities, which includes vacating their tourist accommodation by 21 March."

  • UK nationals may enter if they're legal residents, working, studying or have "unavoidable professional obligations" in the Republic of Cyprus.

Romania

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Romania, due to measures introduced by the government to combat coronavirus.

  • It's recommended British nationals make arrangements to leave the country "as soon as possible."

  • From March 16, travellers upon entry are expected to self-isolate for 14 days from arrival.

Lebanon

  • The FCO advises all UK travellers to Lebanon to "immediately review" travel plans to the country, after authorities closed schools, shops and bars.

  • Lebanese residents have been told to remain at home and only leave in extreme circumstances, effective until March 29.

Cyprus has been included in the list of countries Brits are advised to avoid. Credit: AP

South Africa

  • FCO advises against all but essential travel to South Africa, after the country announced measures, effective March 18, restricting entry to people from the UK.

  • More than 430,000 British tourists visit South Africa every year, the FCO says.

Peru

  • FCO recommends against all but essential travel to Peru, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

  • Peruvian authorities have closed all borders and restricted freedom of movement for 15 days from effect March 16.

  • "Non-resident British nationals in Peru who wish to leave should contact their airline or tour operator," the FCO says.

Kenya

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Kenya, due to authorities introducing measures restricting entry to people coming from countries affected by coronavirus.

  • The measures will be effective from March 17.

Jamaica

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the country due to restrictions on entry. Only Jamaican citizens, spouses and children of Jamaican citizens and foreign residents travelling from the UK will be allowed to enter.

  • The FCO said: "British nationals who wish to leave Jamaica are encouraged to make travel arrangements urgently before airlines reduce direct and indirect flight options."

Trucks queue on the highway between Berlin and the Polish border after Poland closed its border. Credit: AP

Poland

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the country, owing to restrictions being put in place following the outbreak which has seen borders closed and border controls introduced.

  • Non-Polish nationals will only be able to enter the country if they are a spouse or child of a Polish national, hold a Pole's Card, or otherwise have the right to stay or work in the country.

Slovakia

  • Travel restrictions in the country mean the FCO advises against all but essential travel. The department said: "Entry to the country is allowed only for Slovak citizens and foreign residents. All those arriving from abroad are required to self-isolate for 14 days."

Argentina

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to all of Argentina due to travel restrictions.

  • "The FCO strongly encourage non-resident British nationals in Argentina to consider leaving to avoid difficulties they will face if flights out of the country and the region are further restricted and they are unable to get home," the department said.

A shop worker stands behind a plastic sheet in Argentina. Credit: AP

Vietnam

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Vietnam due to the high risk of British nationals being placed into a 14-day quarantine.

Malta

  • The department advises against all but essential travel to Malta due to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for all arrivals including returning residents.

Albania

  • Following the government of Albania's decision to introduce "stringent measures" to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the FCO advises against all but essential travel.

  • All borders are closed, with the exception of freight, to all nationals. Schools are also closed as are all shops except food shops and pharmacies.

Kosovo

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Kosovo as all flights into the country have been cancelled, and land borders are closed to non-citizens.

Estonia

  • The FCO has advised against all but essential travel as the Estonian authorities are themselves advising against all travel in and out of Estonia, and passengers from several European countries must self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry.

San Marino

  • In conjunction with their travel advice for Italy, the FCO advises against all but essential travel to San Marino. "British nationals remain able to depart San Marino without restriction with a valid passport and onward ticket," the department said.

Equatorial Guinea

  • The FCO advises against all travel to Equatorial Guinea after authorities announced border closures and the suspension of international flights for 30 days.

Liberia

  • The department advises against all but essential travel to Liberia due to the high risk of quarantine for British nationals, as well as travel restrictions.

Lithuania

  • British nationals are advised against all but essential travel due to border controls effective from March 16, lasting 14 days.

Latvia

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel, due to the increased travel restrictions. From March 17, it will not be possible for most British nationals to enter or exit Latvia and organised transport by air, sea and land will be suspended.

Peru

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Peru due to conditions including a ban on flights to and from Europe from March 16 for at least 30 days.

Mongolia

  • The department advises against all but essential travel due to the suspension of all flights until at least March 28, and recommended British nationals use charter flights scheduled for March 15 and 16.

Philippines

  • Due to the impact of domestic travel restrictions, possible curfews and plans to impose conditions on entry from the UK, the FCO has recommended against all but essential travel to the whole country from March 15.

Sierra Leone

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel due to mandatory quarantine measures for British nationals arriving from March 16.

South Korea

  • The department advises against all travel to the cities of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan which have been designated "special care zones" by South Korean authorities due to outbreaks.

  • From Sunday, travellers arriving from the UK will be subject to additional screening. People travelling from the UK will also be asked to report their condition to the authorities for 14 days.

India

  • Although the FCO has not advised against travel, the department said the government of India previously announced it will suspend all existing visas due to the virus outbreak.

France

  • France has taken several steps to delay the spread of Covid-19 including the closure of restaurants, schools, universities, cafes, theatres and non-essential shops, the FCO said. Gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned and tourist attractions have been shuttered.

  • The FCO has not currently advised British nationals not to travel to France.

New Zealand

  • Arrivals from countries other than China and Iran will have to self isolate for 14 days on arrival, the department said. Foreign nationals arriving from China or Iran will not be allowed to enter the country as part of strict new controls.

Bolivia

  • The FCO has not advised against travel, however all flights to and from Europe have been suspended.

Bahrain

  • The department said all arrivals from the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days including those without symptoms, but has not warned against travel.

Singapore

  • British nationals will not be granted permission to enter Singapore if they have travelled to mainland China, Iran, northern Italy or South Korea within the last 14 days, the FCO said.

  • All travellers entering the country with a recent travel history to countries including the UK will now be given a 14-day stay-at-home order and may be tested on arrival.

Malaysia

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to all islands off the coast of eastern Sabah from Kudat to Tawau, including (but not limited to) Lankayan, Mabul, Pom Pom, Kapalai, Litigan, Sipadan and Mataking.

The FCO is advising against travel to large swathes of Malaysia. Credit: AP

Portugal

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.

Ecuador

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel, as foreign nationals will not be admitted to the country from Sunday evening.

Fiji

  • The Fiji government announced restrictions, closing all borders to foreign nationals who have been in mainland China, Italy, Iran or designated areas in South Korea within 14 days of their arrival in Fiji.

Sri Lanka

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the country after the Sri Lankan government decided that people arriving from the UK or having travelled through the UK will not be allowed to enter after March 16.

Sri Lanka will not allow anyone who has been in the UK into the country. Credit: AP

Paraguay

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Paraguay due to travel restrictions.

Macau

  • From March 17 anyone travelling from the UK will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Non-residents will have to be quarantined at their own expense.

Guatemala

  • The department advises against all but essential travel to the whole country after the president announced British citizens would not be allowed entry into the country.

Honduras

  • The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the whole country after Honduran authorities said people travelling from Europe will not be permitted to enter.

  • "The FCO strongly encourage non-resident British nationals in Honduras to consider leaving to avoid difficulties they will face if flights out of the country and the region are further restricted," the FCO said.