Coronavirus travel news – live: Airports could shut down within weeks, as Foreign Office warns against leaving UK

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The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus has shot up by 13,903 in one day, according to the World Health Organisation, with 167,511 people around the world infected with Covid-19 as of 16 March.

As the deadly outbreak continues to spread, countries around the world are closing their borders and entering lockdown.

The FCO has extended its list of countries to avoid as new travel restrictions mean it's getting harder to get in and out of countries.

The Independent has compiled a list of the travel bans in place but for the latest, follow our coverage here...

Key Points

• The FCO has added more countries to its list of destinations to avoid
• Countries are beginning to enter into lockdown mode
• More flights are axed around the world due to the travel bans imposed

[17 March 2020 14:26 · helen.coffey]

Low-cost airline Jet2 has announced that, with the new government guidelines, it will be suspending the majority of routes. However, it is also committed to bringing home as many UK residents as possible. CEO Steve Heapy said:

We know that flying customers back to the UK is the right thing to do. With this responsibility in mind, we are continuing to operate our scheduled programme, with aircraft flying empty from the UK so that we can fill them and bring customers home.

In addition to that programme of scheduled flights, we are putting on extra aircraft to bring customers home, some of who may not have been offered flights home by their airline.

[17 March 2020 14:31 · helen.coffey]

The FCO's latest advice to stop all non-essential foreign travel will give clarity to holidaymakers, but strikes an unprecedented blow to the travel industry.

[17 March 2020 14:39 · helen.coffey]

Center Parcs has announced it is closing all UK villages from Friday 20 March to Thursday 16 April.

Customers whose holidays are cancelled can opt for a full refund or to rebook for a new date up until December 2021.

Those who rebook also get a £100 discount on their new break.

[17 March 2020 14:51 · helen.coffey]

Passengers on two easyJet flights from the UK to Cyprus were quarantined upon landing.

Everyone on the flight was a Cypriot national.

An easyJet spokesperson said: “EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY1973 from Manchester to Paphos on 16 March was met by the authorities upon landing.

"This was because, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Cypriot authorities issued a new instruction whilst the aircraft was in the air which stated anyone arriving by air needs to present a valid health certificate confirming they do not have COVID-19.

"This meant customers were delayed when disembarking. While this was outside of our control, we are very sorry for the experience."

[17 March 2020 15:26 · Qin Xie]

Ryanair passengers due to fly out of Spain between 21 and 28 March will need to log on to the airline's website to rebook their flights.

After the Spanish government announced a lockdown of the entire country, some passengers may have experienced difficulties rebooking their flights, prompting the airline to "unchecking" all passengers booked to travel on those dates. 

 

[17 March 2020 15:57 · Qin Xie]

The Eurotunnel is still operating as normal, but if you're planning to drive in France, make sure you have the right documents with you.

Due to the lockdown in France, you're only permitted to drive in the country under certain circumstances. This includes going to look after your children or vulnerable people or to buy essentials from local shops.

The details and the form can be found here (in French). 

[17 March 2020 16:26 · Qin Xie]

For those with existing or upcoming travels, we've updated our guide to what your rights are and what will happen to your Easter and summer holidays.

[17 March 2020 16:42 · Qin Xie]

The coronavirus outbreak is "worse than 9/11" for the airline industry, according to US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin.  

 When the terrorist attack happened in New York City on 11 September, 2001, the airspace in the US and Canada was closed with the exception of military, police, and medical flights. This closure lasted only a few days, and the airspace was opened again on 13 September. 

But airlines have now cancelled flights for multiple weeks and are having to reduce staff to combat losses. 

[17 March 2020 17:00 · Qin Xie]

All commercial flights to Jordan have now ceased, while all land and sea borders have been closed. This will be in effect until 30 March.

The FCO has said

 British nationals in Jordan or intending to travel to Jordan are strongly advised to immediately review their travel plans and consult their insurance provider; tour operator, and transport or accommodation provider about the impact on their plans.

[17 March 2020 17:18 · Qin Xie]

Thousands of passengers are currently stranded on a cruise in the South Pacific after four countries refused to let it dock.

No one on board has symptoms of Covid-19.