ISLE of Wight businesses are handing out advice as the government issues its latest statement on coronavirus.

Ferry firm Wightlink has increased the number of available hand sanitisers at its terminals and on board its fleet and is working with health organisations. The cross-Solent operator is among those considering how best to protect staff and passengers.

It told the Isle of Wight County Press: "[Wightlink] continues to liaise closely with the NHS and Public Health England and will follow their advice and recommendations.

"We advise everyone should follow the government’s advice to wash hands frequently to prevent infection and have increased the number of hand sanitisers across ports and ships and in our offices."

A coronavirus pod has been established at St Mary's Hospital.

In Newport, a sign has been placed on the front door of Specsavers opticians.

It reads: "If you have visited or travelled through China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand, or been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus, please let us know and we can help you to book an appointment following public health guidelines."

Isle of Wight bus operator Southern Vectis is working to national guidelines and says it will continue to monitor the situation.

It has issued a statement from a spokesperson for the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK: “The current government advice is that the risk of catching coronavirus (Covid-19) remains low and there is no need for people to stop using buses or other forms of public transport.

“All bus and coach operators have extensive cleaning and hygiene regimes in place to ensure services are fit for use – these continue to be monitored and adhered to.

“As the situation evolves, the industry will continue to follow the advice from public health bodies and introduce any additional measures that are recommended or required and also keep passengers up to date on any changes to services.”

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Red Funnel says it has stepped up its cleaning schedules and is working on contingency plans:

Chris Sibley, Risk, safety and compliance director for Red Funnel said: “We are carefully following the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE) in regards to Covid-19, as well as monitoring for regional government and council information relating to the tracking of the virus and health and safety measures.

“We are taking the matter very seriously and have increased measures across the business, including reminding our passengers of the importance of hand washing and good hygiene as a means of preventing infection and installing WHO posters across the business.

“We have also increased the amount of hand sanitisation stations on board all our vessels, in our terminals and at our support offices, and have an escalated schedule of disinfection in high hand contact areas.

 “We are actively working on contingency plans as a top priority, to ensure we have robust procedures in place should the virus spread. We will share further details in due course, and keep our customers continuously informed.”

Read more: Government issues coronavirus plan

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) says staff at HMP Isle of Wight have been told to follow official guidelines to self-isolate if returning from affected areas.  The MOJ confirmed that no prison officers are currently self-isolating.

In a statement this morning (Tuesday), Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged those in the UK to thoroughly wash their hands.

He told a press conference: “This is overwhelmingly a disease that is moderate in its effect. People recover well. I have no doubt…this country is going to get through coronavirus.”

Update: The government has announced today the first confirmed case in Hampshire.

The department of health and social care said as of 9am this morning, 12 further patients had tested positive, and the areas they came from included Hampshire.