More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Entire families may be told to self-isolate even if only one person displays symptons of Covid-19.
The move is expected to be announced alongside additional measures to protect the over-70s.
Live updates
8.41pm
The University of Kent confirms it intends to deliver its teaching programmes online from March 23. It follows a similar decision by the University of Greenwich earlier today.
8.21pm
Record Store Day - the annual push to get people to visit their local independent music retailer - has been postponed. It had been due to take place on April 18 but has been pushed back to June.
7.35pm
French health officials have announced nearly 1,000 more cases have been confirmed over the last 24 hours with the number of deaths rising to 120 - up almost 30 from the day before.
6.23pm
As an update to the latest number of cases of coronavirus, there has been no increase in Kent figures over the last 24 hours. It remains at 11 in Kent and 2 in Medway.
6.03pm
A literary festival at Chiddingstone Castle, set to star a host of best-selling authors, puts ticket sales on hold as a result of the outbreak.
5.33pm
Ireland has just announced all of its pubs are to close from midnight tonight until March 29.
5.17pm
Latest from around Europe - Italy says death toll has risen from 1.441 to 1,809 in the space of a day. Spain, meanwhile, is using drones to tell people to keep off the streets as part of its lockdown. And the Netherlands has confirmed schools will close there from Monday until next month.
4.44pm
A concert by the Maidstone Wind Symphony due to take place on Saturday, March 28, has been cancelled as a result of the outbreak.
The Journey to the Stars concert was due to take place Mote Hall and the Maidstone Leisure Centre.
Organisers said: "The family concert and workshop programme for young musicians will no longer be going ahead on that date. The orchestra is exploring options to hold the event on a later date and will be contacting all ticket holders and workshop participants in the coming days."
4.32pm
The University of Greenwich, which has a campus in the county, has confirmed all lectures will switch to online - a move seen at other higher education institutions.
4.11pm
Commuters told to work from home can claim refunds on their rail season tickets, train chiefs have confirmed.
4.03pm
The Department of Health has confirmed a further 14 people have now died as a result of the coronavirus outbreak bringing the total to 35. It says there are now some 1,372 confirmed cases.
14.13pm
Sportswear giant Nike has followed in the footsteps of Apple and confirmed it is closing all its stores in Western Europe as well as the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand to limit the spread of the virus. This will include the Nike outlet store at Ashford's Designer Outlet.
12.55pm
You're hearing about coronavirus a lot, but do you know what the symptoms are?
Here's some important info from the Department of Health and NHS.
12.11pm
The Foreign Office has advised against 'all but essential' travel to the US after President Donald Trump introduced a travel ban on the UK over the coronavirus outbreak.
12.05pm
Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham has reported cases of antibacterial hand gel being stolen from wards.
Trust chief executive James Devine has urged people to stop putting the most vulnerable at risk.
11.15am
Shoppers are being urged not to panic buy during the coronavirus outbreak as some supermarket shelves in Kent have been left empty in recent days.
The British Retail Consortium say there is enough for everyone if we all work together.
10.40am
Health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the over 70s will be asked to self-isolate in a bid to protect themselves from coronavirus.
The government is to be given emergency powers to help tackle the outbreak and a bill setting out those powers will be published on Thursday.
9.15am
There will be changes to church services in Kent this morning in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Members of congregations across the county are being told not to shake hands and there won't be any wine at communion.
8.52am
The health secretary has called for manufacturers to transform their production lines to make more ventilators for the NHS.
Writing in The Telegraph, Matt Hancock said 'further steps' will be taken in the 'near future' to protect older and medically vulnerable people from coronavirus.
He said: "Next week we will publish our emergency bill, to give the Government the temporary powers we will need to help everyone get through this."
8.26am
A message has been posted on social media by King's School in Rochester confirming their sports centre located on Maidstone Road will stay open, but their swimming pool within the main school grounds will be closed until further notice.
8.08am
Overnight, Donald Trump's doctor says the US President has tested negative for coronavirus while the wife of Spain's Prime Minister has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Sunday
6.40am
Downing Street has said it will continued to be guided by its scientific experts, but is thought to be preparing to self-isolate even if only one member displays symptoms.
The Government is also attempting to provide hospitals with additional ventilators.
8.40pm People in Britain aged over 70 will be told soon to stay in isolation for four months as part of a planned response to coronavirus.
That's according to the ITV's political editor Robert Peston.
Reports by The Daily Mirror claim the directive will come in the next five days
4.20pm The United States is to broaden its European coronavirus travel ban – adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to the list, according to reports
4pm The London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday, March 29 has been cancelled because of Coronavirus.
A statement from the event organisers said: "We would like to say how sorry we are, and to thank everyone for your passion, enthusiasm and dedication in the lead up to the event.
"We are currently working with local authorities to try and secure an alternative date. Please bear with us as we review our options and we will update you as soon as we possibly can."
Chatham baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps had a team of 40 due to take part.
The runners now hang in limbo while attempts are made to reschedule
2.15pm Ten further people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died, the Government's chief medical officer has said.
Professor Chris Whitty added: “I understand this increase in the number of deaths will be a cause for concern for many. The public should know every measure we are taking is seeking to save lives and protect the most vulnerable."
It brings the number of UK deaths to 21.
1pm
Eurostar passengers, including those who have had to leave Disneyland Paris early after it was shut today, have been reporting long delays as they attempt to get home.
12.10pm
The ambulance service is reminding people to dial 999 only in a life-threatening emergency, plus pointing people to the online 111 service.
11.40am
Kent's cricketers are flying home after their pre-season tour of South Africa was cut short. The 'health and safety of staff 'remains our top priority', says the club.
11.20am
A doctor's surgery in Tenterden has introduced a number of coronavirus-busting measures, including screening patients at the door and an isolation pod.
10.50am
The Oasis Academy on Sheppey posts on Facebook that pupils left early on Friday as a precautionary measure but stresses there are no cases of coronavirus at the school.
10.40am
Apple has announced it is temporarily closing all its stores, including the Bluewater branch, to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
All stores "outside of Greater China" will be shut until March 27.
10.20am
Shoppers have been getting up early this morning! A long line of people were pictured outside a Medway supermarket before it opened today.
8.45am
Gills boss Steve Evans says "Let's go away for two or three weeks and then come back and see if we can all finish the season".
The manager has backed the decision to postpone all football league fixtures until April 3 at the earliest.
8am
The weekly Saturday morning 5k parkruns have survived the threat of cancellation and are going ahead this morning, although runners are being advised to follow coronavirus guidance and think before turning up.
6.30am
Ministers are working with the Government's medical advisers on plans to ban mass gatherings.
The move is being made to ease the pressure on public services tackling the coronavirus crisis.
Scores of events, including top-tier football matches, have already been called off until at least April.
