There have been 25 travellers to Bermuda pre-screened for Covid-19, the illness caused by a novel coronavirus strain spreading around the world — with all persons passing the 14-day monitoring period.

The Ministry of Health, in a statement this afternoon, said there were “still no cases” of Covid-19 on Bermuda, and there were no persons being monitored at present.

No travellers with a risk history have been picked up by port of entry screening in the last five days, a spokeswoman said.

She added: “Efforts are being made to heighten the level of screening of travellers at the airport and to remind travellers to identify themselves at the customs arrival window, if they have travelled to mainland China or any area where there is person-to-person transmission of the virus.”

Travel to China, where most cases have occurred, or any areas with active person-to-person transmission of the virus was not advised.

Residents returning from such areas should prepare to be self-quarantined in their homes and monitored for 14 days.

Cheryl Peek-Ball, the Chief Medical Officer, said anyone falling ill after travel to a risk area should contact a doctor for advice and inform them of the travel risk before going to a healthcare setting.

She added: “The best protection from this disease and all respiratory illnesses is good hand hygiene.

“When ill, stay away from others, do not attend work or school, and, again, seek medical advice by phone in advance of going to a healthcare setting. Calling ahead is critical before seeking care in both the Emergency Department and other healthcare facilities.”

The ministry issues weekly statements on Thursdays as well as regularly updating www.gov.bm/health-data-and-monitoring. Updates are also provided at the Government’s Facebook, Twitter and Treefrog App, which are being updated immediately as developments occur