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Story Events - until Feb

Coronavirus: Half of Brits think all travel to and from the UK should be stopped

Half of Brits think ALL travel to and from the UK should be stopped in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.

A study of 1,000 UK adults found almost a third are โ€˜very concernedโ€™ about the virus, with 73 per cent worried about elderly relatives or those considered to be โ€˜high-riskโ€™.

Just under half (49 per cent) do not believe the Government is doing enough to contain the outbreak.

Many believe all major festivals and sporting events, such as Glastonbury, Cheltenham Festival, FA Cup final and the Grand National should be scrapped to prevent its spread.

More than a quarter of those polled are worried about the effect the virus is going to have on their holiday plans, with 14 per cent thinking about cancelling or changing travel arrangements.

Many are changing day-to-day routines as a result of the virus, with 53 per cent washing their hands more often than usual and 40 per cent now using an anti-bacterial hand gel.

Almost a quarter even admitted avoiding handshakes while another 14 per cent are trying to get out of hugging other people.

A spokesman for research firm OnePoll.com, said: โ€œCoronavirus has been in the background of our lives for six weeks, but itโ€™s only over the last few days that itโ€™s become something many are beginning to take seriously.

โ€œPreviously, it was something affecting other countries – many of which most people wouldnโ€™t have visited, so it was easy to put to the back of your mind.

โ€œBut with several confirmed cases in the UK – a figure which is only likely to rise – people are now thinking more about the effect the virus could have the UK and their own lives.โ€

The study also found 23 per cent are planning to avoid using public transport while 26 per cent will think twice about attending large public gatherings such as gigs or sporting events.

More than one in 10 are even worried about going to a large family party.

Almost a quarter will avoid seeing friends and family members who have been to a country affected by coronavirus while another 21 per cent will stay away from those who have cold or flu-like symptoms.

A third of those polled think Glastonbury Festival should be cancelled in a bid to prevent the virus spreading across the UK, while 33 per cent believe the same about this summerโ€™s Olympics.

Almost three in 10 think Euro 2020 should be put on hold and 23 per cent even think Wimbledon should be scrapped.

The Cheltenham Festival, FA Cup final and Grand National are also among the events people think should be cancelled in the wake of the virus taking hold in the UK.

But 24 per cent of Brits think all gigs and concerts should be scrapped while 29 per cent say the same about sporting events.

It also emerged 47 per cent of parents are worried about sending their children to school in case they catch the virus, while 16 per cent have even considered not sending them to their usual sports clubs.

And a third are worried about what they will do if their childโ€™s school closes.

In preparation for the virus becoming more widespread, 15 per cent of adults polled are already stockpiling food and essential items while another 18 per cent are considering it.

Almost one in five have also started to eat healthier food or taking supplements to try and reduce their chances of catching the virus.

When it comes to work, two thirds of adults think those who can should be able to work from home to stop the spread, while 17 per cent say they or their business is cancelling or rearranging face-to-face meetings.

More than half will also call in sick to work and self-isolate at the first sign of a high temperature or cough, even if they havenโ€™t been abroad or knowingly come into contact with someone who has.

But 18 per cent admitted they have considered calling in sick to work claiming they need to self-isolate to try and get some time off – even though they are sure they donโ€™t have the virus.