The government has warned Britons not to travel to mainland China as UK citizens trapped in the coronavirus-hit province of Hubei prepared for evacuation.

The Foreign Office has yet to confirm any details of how and when they will pull people out of the landlocked province, however a British teacher living in the city of Wuhan revealed UK nationals were being given details of impending flights.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said a number of Britons she was in contact with had arranged to return home on a flight scheduled for 7am on Thursday.

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Those stuck in Wuhan – where the virus is believed to have originated – and surrounding areas have been urged to contact the British consulate before 11am on Wednesday if they wish to leave.

The British embassy in Beijing warned transport to get UK citizens out “may happen quickly and with short notice”.

The independent