Coronavirus: Government 'examining immigration position' of Chinese nationals

The Department of Justice says it is "examining the immigration position of Chinese nationals" as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

It says this will include Chinese citizens in Ireland, who could require an extension of their permission to stay.

Those coming to the end of their visa may be allowed to stay here longer.

It says it will adopt a "pragmatic approach" - in relation to both visas and immigration permissions - for persons whose permissions are coming to an end.

The department adds that it is liaising closely with the HSE and monitoring "the ever-evolving situation".

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says the situation is being monitored.

"We have had similar issues in the past with viruses like SARS and MERS - and we know how it needs to be managed.

"There are a number of Irish citizens who are staying in the region in China, others who are being repatriated and will go through quarantine before they come into Ireland.

"The HSE is stepping up its response".

It comes as two cases of the virus have been confirmed in Britain.

The patients in England, who are members of the same family, are being treated at a hospital in Newcastle.

Meanwhile the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it a public health emergency of international concern.

Chinese health officials have said that 9,692 people have contracted the illness.

This is an increase of 1,981 cases and 81 deaths since Wednesday.

No deaths have been reported outside of China, but the virus has spread to more than a dozen countries.

The vast majority of cases have been in Hubei province - and the Chinese city of Wuhan is the epicentre of the outbreak.

There have also been a handful of confirmed cases in the US, including the first known incident of person-to-person transmission in the country.

The Department of Health's National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) also says it is containing to monitor the situation.

The NPHET met on Thursday in the Department of Health, and will meet again on Tuesday February 4th.