Isis urges followers to stay away from Europe over coronavirus fears The terror group warned its supporters against travelling to the ‘land of the epidemic’

Isis has advised its supporters to steer clear of Europe, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.

The terrorist group has issued a warning for its followers to “stay away from the land of the epidemic” to avoid contracting the virus.

Having previously encouraged supporters to attack European cities, the group has now issued a new set of “sharia directives”, The Sunday Times reports.

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In the latest edition of its al-Naba newsletter on 13 March, the so-called Islamic State instructs followers to “cover their mouths when yawning and sneezing” and to wash their hands regularly.

Holy guidance

The advice does not detail guidance issued by the World Health Organisation or other medical experts, but recorded statements made by the Prophet Mohamed.

The newsletter refers to a “plague” described as a “torment sent by God on whomsoever He wills”.

Another statement reads: “Illnesses do not strike by themselves but by the command and decree of God.”

Isis has also warned the “healthy should not enter the land of the epidemic and the afflicted should not exit from it”.

While Isis has lost almost all its hold in the Middle East, surviving fragments still remain in Iraq and Syria.

There have been 110 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Iraq, while the country has seen 10 deaths from the virus.

Spain and France lockdown

The newsletter comes as France and Spain followed in Italy’s in enforcing emergency restrictions nationwide in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife Begona Gomez has tested positive for the virus.

The country’s lockdown sees people banned from leaving their home except for buying essential supplies or for work.

Cafes, restaurants, cinemas and most shops have shut in France.

Measures are expected to be brought forward in the UK next week to ban mass gatherings, while the government is preparing an emergency law that could come into effect within a fortnight.