Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the governments of countries with airports from which planes are flying to the UK about encouraging social distancing at such airports.

The UK is a world leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks, and we have a world-renowned team of clinicians, public health experts and scientists working round the clock to keep this country safe. We are working closely with the World Health Organisation, other G7 countries and the wider international community to ensure that we are ready for all eventualities. Additionally, FCO teams are working around the clock to gather and provide on the ground intelligence to understand current the situation in each individual country.

The UK Government has issued clear instructions on what to do to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Extensive guidance is being provided to individuals entering the UK from countries where there are cases of COVID-19 being reported, including instructions regarding self-isolation as the primary means to contain the spread of the disease. UK Airports are following Public Health England advice, as well as their existing internal protocols on preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and PHE has provided specific guidance to flight crew on social distancing and the safe use of personal protective equipment.