BRITISH nationals have been advised to avoid all non-essential foreign travel for the next 30-days at least.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons that the changes to guidance were necessary to try and slow the spread of coronavirus but also partly over fears that people might not be able to return home if the country they’re in closes borders.

Raab said: "UK travellers abroad now face widespread international border restrictions and lock downs in various countries.

"The speed and range of those measures across other countries is unprecedented.

"So I have taken the decision to advise British nationals against all non-essential international travel."

The Foreign Office (FCO) said Britons who decide that they still need to travel abroad should be fully aware of the increased risks of doing so - including the possibility of being stranded overseas if restrictions are put in place.

The Foreign Office is not currently advising British people to immediately return to the UK if they are overseas, except from a few specific countries detailed in travel advice.

But British travellers are urged to bear in mind the prospect of flights being cancelled at short notice or additional restrictions being imposed by the local authorities.

More to follow...