Coronavirus threat: Edinburgh travel advice as patients are tested for China virus

Three people are being tested for the SARS-like virus, raisng concern about safety in the capital.

No special travel measures are in place at Edinburgh Airport following the news that three people in the capital are being tested for a lethal strain of the coronavirus originating from China.

An Edinburgh Airport spokesperson confirmed that it was business as usual at Scotland's busiest airport with "no such request" to monitor flights to and from the airport issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) or Public Health Scotland to screen passengers.

Measures are in place at London Heathrow Airport, which runs a direct flight from Wuhan in China, the city where the new strain of disease is believed to have originated.

Flights to and from Wuhan in China are being closely monitored around the world (Getty Images)

The UK Government revealed that all direct flights from Wuhan to Heathrow Airport were being subjected to enhanced monitoring, as efforts to screen passengers for the new virus were stepped up around the world.

The airport has set up a separate disembarkation area in Terminal 4 for those arriving from the city, in Hubei province.

Public Health England issued the following update to travellers who are travelling to or from Wuhan:

"From today, 22 January 2020, enhanced monitoring will be in place from all direct flights from Wuhan to the UK.

"For those travelling back directly from Wuhan, this includes a Port Health team who will meet each direct flight aircraft to provide advice and support to those that feel unwell.

"The risk to the UK population has been assessed as low. This has been raised from very low due to current evidence on the likelihood of cases being imported into this country.

"People travelling to Wuhan should maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene and should avoid visiting animal and bird markets or people who are ill with respiratory symptoms."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Wuhan city, Hubei Province

What has Nicola Sturgeon said?

Following the news of five people in Scotland being tested for the lethal strain of coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon issued a statement, underlining that the risk to public health in Scotland was low.

She said: "I should say, that the risk to the public here in Scotland - and indeed the UK - is currently classified as low but that is kept under review.

"Health Protection Scotland are liaising with NHS boards and are currently in daily contact with Public Health England, we're also liaising daily with colleagues in the UK Department of Health - we're also paying very close attention to the advice and the decisions that come from the World Health Organisation.

"We're currently considering whether there is any further information that could be provided at Scottish airports.

"This is an evolving situation which we will monitor extremely closely and the Health Secretary and I will make sure that Parliament is updated in the days and weeks to come."

Do direct flights operate between Edinburgh and China?

Hainan Airlines run a flight between Edinburgh and Beijing, but this has been suspended for the winter period.