A shopping centre has dismissed rumours a member of its security staff returned to work and was "feeling ill" after returning from a coronavirus-hit country.

Reports have been circulating about a guard based at the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in Gillingham coming home after visiting Italy.

But centre managers have categorically dismissed the reports saying the member of the security team is not showing any signs of the coronavirus.

It is understood the man mentioned to a member of staff from Costa Coffee he was feeling unwell following a recent trip to the country where 107 people have died from the virus.

Government guidelines advise people to self-isolate if they are showing symptoms of Covid-19 and have returned from the north of the affected country since February 19.

A concerned shopper told KentOnline: "I know we cannot afford to panic, but surely it's common sense to keep this guy at home to be on the safe side."

Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre manager Mark Rumfitt said the worker had returned from the south of Italy, an unaffected area, and is not showing any symptoms of the virus.

However, the first death in the south of Italy was reported earlier this week after someone had contracted the coronavirus in Rome.

Mr Rumfitt added: "We have hand sanitizer at all of the entrances to the centre and all of the staff have been briefed with what to do."

The first case of Covid-19 in Kent was confirmed on Monday.

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