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An increasing number of cases of coronavirus are being seen in the UK and the government says the spread of the disease is "likely".
So, what will happen if there are major outbreaks and is the NHS well prepared?
Could schools close and public gatherings be banned?
The government has the power to close schools, restrict the use of public transport and stop mass gatherings to protect people from infection.
Drastic steps like these would have major social and economic consequences and ministers have stressed the need not to over-react - and this will be reiterated when the government publishes its action plan on Tuesday.
It is also virtually impossible to stop all social contact.
As such, these measures may be most likely when there are local outbreaks, in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
New legal powers have been passed to force people to stay in quarantine.
These are more likely to be used during efforts to limit the spread of the disease, rather than in the event of an epidemic. The government and NHS do not have the facilities to contain more than a few hundred people.
The response is being co-ordinated by the government's emergency Cobra committee - made up of ministers, civil servants and other relevant officials.
Emergency legislation will also be introduced in the coming weeks to give ministers extra powers to increase class sizes - in case there is a shortage of teachers - and bring recently-retired doctors and nurses back into the health service if needed.
Meanwhile, a public information campaign will be launched soon to encourage people to take their own steps to protect themselves - the main focus will be on regular and thorough hand washing.
Is the NHS ready for coronavirus?
The NHS has detailed plans to cope with outbreaks of disease and surges in demand.
There are around 30 hospitals on stand-by to take patients - although the majority of the UK cases so far have been taken to one of five specialist hospitals in England.
Every hospital has been told to set up isolation pods in case patients arrive with the virus. These are not to treat patients, but to ensure they do not mix with other patients and staff when they arrive.
Patients are being advised to contact NHS 111 in England and self-isolate - the rest of the UK has its own arrangements. People who are worried they may have coronavirus should not go to A&E, or their GP.
How will the NHS treat seriously ill patients?
Currently there is no treatment or cure, so hospitals are trying to relieve the symptoms.
Specialist equipment called ECMO - which helps with breathing - is available at a small number of units for the most severely ill patients if their lungs fail.
In the worst-case scenario of widespread transmission in the UK - an epidemic - the 30 hospitals could start cancelling routine treatments to prioritise coronavirus patients.
Assessments will be made about which patients can be advised to stay at home and isolate themselves - at the moment all cases are being admitted to hospital.
This is being done to help contain its spread and help doctors learn more about the virus. The illness caused by the virus for many seems to be mild and passes.
Can coronavirus be contained?
Public Health England officials have said widespread transmission of coronavirus in the UK is "highly likely" in the coming weeks and months.
But they are still working on containing its spread. That involves tracing people who have had close contact with infected people and getting them to self-isolate to see if symptoms develop.
This will continue until there are significant outbreaks in a number of areas of the country.
Even if containment fails, it could buy the UK valuable time.
If an epidemic can be delayed until late spring, or even the summer, the milder weather will help as the NHS would not be under so much pressure.
It also gives scientists more time to learn more about the virus and, hopefully, be a step closer to developing a vaccine.
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