A tweet published on 4 April states: “Travel update: The Foreign Office indefinitely advises against all non-essential global travel.”

Travellers are facing an unprecedented challenge on a global scale

In a video attached to the tweet, the FCO states: “We now advise against all non-essential global travel – indefinitely. The situation is changing rapidly. Travellers could face severe disruption and be unable to return to the UK.“

Meanwhile, the UK Government has increased efforts to bring home travellers stranded abroad by coronavirus − extra flights and 10 more airlines have joined its scheme.

The FCO states that from the week beginning 6 April, the government will start to bring stranded British travellers back from India with flights from Delhi, Goa and Mumbai.

It said that the number of airlines signed up to the government’s scheme to get Britons home now stands at 14 after 10 new airlines, including British Airways, Norwegian, TUI and Ryanair, joined Virgin Atlantic, Titan, easyJet, and Jet2, all of which signed up last week.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Travellers are facing an unprecedented challenge on a global scale, and I know people are understandably desperate to get back to their homes and loved ones.

“We are committed to supporting Britons getting home either through commercial routes we have helped keep open or through specially chartered flights. With more airlines signing up it should mean more flights available but also a fairer deal for travellers by providing more flexibility over tickets and costs.”

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: “We continue to work with airlines round the clock to reunite British citizens with their families and loved ones. With more airlines pledging support, this huge operation becomes a little easier, speeding up the process and helping ensure a greater number of people return home quickly and safely.”