The government has issued advice for people who have just returned from Italy after a coronavirus outbreak, and says workers who self-isolate under medical advice are entitled to sick pay.
There have been more than 350 confirmed cases of the flu-like virus in Italy so far and 11 people have died. The government has quarantined 11 towns in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto, which are popular with tourists.
Pupils from three Leeds schools have just returned from half-term trips in the country, but they did not visit the towns which are now in quarantine and have not been told to self isolate.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to the 11 towns that are currently quarantined and says anyone who has recently got back from one of those towns should stay indoors, avoid contact with others and phone 111 immediately.
It states that anyone who has recently returned from any other part of northern Italy (north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini) should only self-isolate and phone 111 if they start to show symptoms.
Speaking in the House of Commons today (Wednesday), health secretary Matt Hancock said: "The critical thing to do is follow the Foreign Office travel advice, which is informed by the evidence from scientists and constantly held under review."
He added: "Self isolation on medical advice is considered sickness for employment purposes.
"It's a very important message for employers and those who can go home and self isolate, as if they were sick because it's for medical reasons."
Mr Hancock said the UK should "expect more cases" but the government has a plan to "contain, delay, research and mitigate”.
He said: "111 staff have got the support they need and we have back up plans. That is all part of the plan that we've got.
"111 is responding brilliantly. Thank goodness we've got 111. It's only a couple of years old and it's absolutely delivering in these circumstances."
The World Health Organisation has declared that the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern and the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate.
