Coronavirus is on the rise in Britain with the number of UK cases reaching 51 on Tuesday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined the Government’s coronavirus action plan as officials work to contain its spread. Meghan Markle will rejoin Prince Harry in the UK on March 5 for a string of final engagements before they step down as senior royals on March 9. 

They were due to join Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge at a special Westminster Abbey service on March 9.

The annual Commonwealth Service brings together representatives from the 54 Commonwealth nations and is a key event in the royal calendar.

Could the Commonwealth Service be cancelled due to coronavirus?

Coronavirus poses a bigger risk to the elderly and at 93, the Queen is more vulnerable to the virus.

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Prince Charles, 71, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are also both considered high-risk.

Westminster Abbey where the Commonwealth Service is held has a seating capacity of 2,000 and the event will be classed as a large indoor gathering.

While large gatherings have been banned in Italy and France to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Government has said this measure will not be implemented in the UK yet.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday the Government was not recommending the closure of schools or cancellation of mass events but added the plan did not rule out introducing “no-go zones”.

He told BBC Breakfast the action plan would set out measures to deal with the Covid-19 virus, when the number of cases was relatively small, and also measures to delay the spread, and if it becomes a pandemic, actions that “we might have to take to mitigate it”.

Asked whether mass gatherings such as the London Marathon may be cancelled, Mr Hancock said: “It’s far too early to be able to tell in that instance.

“What we can say for sure is that right now, we do not recommend the cancelling of mass events, and schools as well should not be closing unless there is both a positive case and the school has had the advice to close from Public Health England.”

The Commonwealth service is expected to be Meghan and Harry’s final event as senior members of the Fold.

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They are expected to return to Canada where they will rejoin their son baby Archie at the end of the month.

If the Commonwealth Service is cancelled amid coronavirus fears the couple could have to delay their royal farewell.

Speaking to the nation yesterday Boris Johnson advised Britons to wash their hands to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

He said: “Our country remains extremely well prepared, as it has been since the outbreak began in Wuhan several months ago.”

Mr Johnson added: “Finally, crucially, we must not forget what we can all do to fight this virus, which is to wash our hands, you knew I was going to say this, but wash our hands with soap and water.

“And forgive me for repeating this but there will be people who will be tuning into this for the first time: wash your hands with soap and hot water for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

He added: “It’s simple advice but it’s the single most important thing we can do, as I think our experts would attest.”

The Queen wore gloves at an investiture ceremony yesterday in order to help herself stay protected.

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