Extra supplies of hand sanitiser are to be imported and handed out free of charge, the Government said tonight.

The move came as the island braced itself for the possible arrival of the potential killer coronavirus strain Covid-19.

Kim Wilson, the health minister, said the hand sanitiser would be available at Government offices and distributed around the island, with at risk people like seniors given priority.

She added: “Government will waive Customs duty on hand sanitiser, protective masks and other supplies as the Department of Health deems necessary in the fight against influenza and Covid-19.”

Ms Wilson added that Cheryl Peek-Ball, the Chief Medical Officer, had today written to business organisations around the island to offer advice on how to combat “the emerging public health threat” from the new virus strain.

She said non-essential travel to areas with cases of the virus should be avoided and advice on the need to wash hands “often and well” with soap and water, cover coughs, and that people should stay at home if they felt ill.

Dr Peek-Ball’s letter added that companies should hand out disinfectant wipes to staff and provide hand sanitiser in reception and communal areas.

The letter said cleaners should also be told to wipe down often-touched places such as door handles, access keypads, taps, coffee pots, kettles, fridge handles and water cooler taps.

Dr Peek-Ball added: “The Ministry of Health has received many calls from members of the business community lately seeking advice on whether or not to travel to certain places for work-related activities.”

She said people should visit www.gov.bm/health-information for the latest travel advice.

Dr Peek-Ball added: “Certain places have a high level of transmission so, if you go, you may be asked to self-quarantine upon return.

“Likewise, if you go to a place with a lower level of transmission, you may be asked to self-monitor on return to Bermuda.”

But she warned travellers the situation “is fluid, so you may visit a country deemed to be low risk which may elevate to high risk while you are there and therefore this would require you to follow more intense monitoring when you return.”

For more information on precautions, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-business-response.html and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-covid-19