two cases of coronavirus are confirmed in the uk — the pair, from the same family, are being treated at a specialist centre in newcastle. it comes as over 100 people, evacuated from china, were flown back to the uk to be put into quarantine for m days. they were taken from a military base in oxfordshire to a hospital on the wirral, where they'll be closely monitored. if they develop symptoms, at that point, the nhs — which, as i say, is very practised at this — will be able to deal with those. we'll be live with our correspondents in newcastle and on the wirral with all the latest. and our other major story this evening: after a union of 47 years, a historic moment as tonight, at "pm, the uk formally leaves the european union. as the country prepares to go it

alone, we'll be asking what lies ahead for our future relationship with our european neighbours. and can they do it again? wales start their campaign to defend their six nations title, as the tournament kicks off tomorrow. coming up on sportsday on bbc news, we are live in cardiff on the eve of the six nations. how will the defending champions wales get on with the new man wayne pivac in charge? good evening. two members of the same family have tested positive for coronavirus in the uk — the first confirmed cases here. they're being treated at a specialist centre in newcastle. the virus outbreak, which started in the chinese city of wuhan, has seen at least 213 people die in china,

and almost 10,000 people infected nationally. there have been at least 100 cases in 19 other countries. today, 110 britons and foreign nationals were evacuated from china. they're being taken to arrowe park hospital on the wirral, where they will be quarantined for two weeks. here's our health editor, hugh pym. a day of high drama, a plane landing early afternoon at raf brize norton in oxfordshire, bringing home more than 80 british citizens from wuhan in china, the source of the virus. some, but not all, had boarded with spouses and partners who weren't british. were actually being evacuated right now, my mother here behind me, and my wife was dubbed the chinese authorities have seen fit to allow her to travel. they

we re fit to allow her to travel. they were put onto buses for the 170 mile journey to merseyside under quarantine. there was one official on each bus in protective clothing, so on each bus in protective clothing, so if needed, they could have scored any passenger to hospital if they we re any passenger to hospital if they were unwell. at the same time, in newcastle, at a specialist infectious diseases unit, the first cases of the new strain of coronavirus in the uk were being treated — two patience from the same family. the reason that these infectious disease units, and this isa infectious disease units, and this is a specialist one, exist is exactly to make sure that staff, patients and the general public are at no risk from these people who have got an infection. the two was staying at this hotel in york and, on feeling ill, were taken to a hospital in hull and from there to newcastle. the apartment has been sealed off in line with health advice. the convoy of buses, meanwhile, was heading up the motorway to merseyside with a police

escort, the destination — arrowe park hospital, where they will spend 14 park hospital, where they will spend 1a days in quarantine in staff accommodation. this is about all our safety, so yes, the safety of those coming from wuhan, but it is much broader than that, it is about the safety of the staff here at arrowe park, but also the broader safety of each and every one of us. the message from health leaders is that the nhs is well positioned to protect the british public, to care for patients with the virus, and to manage quarantine for those who need it. but they warn that containing the global outbreak could take time and, if so, there can't be any relaxing of the current state of alert in the uk. nhs officials know that to reassure people, they have to keep the system ona high people, they have to keep the system on a high state of alert. hugh pym, bbc news. well, the country's chief medical officers have insisted that the nations‘ health—care systems are well prepared to handle any outbreaks. but how concerned should people here be? 0ur medical correspondent fergus walsh explains.

in china, the new coronavirus is a clear and present danger, with thousands in hospital, 50 million affected by quarantine restrictions, and public transport in more than a dozen cities at a standstill. but here in the uk, the risk to individuals is incredibly low. there are plenty of other viruses around in winter, like flu, and there are sensible precautions people can take to protect themselves. these include regular handwashing, avoiding touching your mouth and eyes, and coughing into the crook of your elbow. facemasks are of limited use, but they do help people with infections from passing on germs. the new virus is spread in the air by droplets, but it does seem to require fairly close contact, and to be less contagious than flu or measles. the virus infects the lungs and can cause pneumonia. the symptoms include fever,

cough and breathing difficulties. most people have a mild illness, which makes the virus much harder to contain than sars. the incubation period is three to seven days but may be up to 1a days. now, it's likely some people can pass it on before they have symptoms. the sars virus had a death rate of 10%. the new coronavirus death rate could be 2%, but that figure is not reliable. we do know most of those who've died had underlying health problems. remains the epicentre of this outbreak, with nearly all the cases. the thread in the uk will rise significantly only if we get sustained transmission outside china. then, it will become a pandemic, a global epidemic, but we area pandemic, a global epidemic, but we are a long way from that yet. fergus walsh, bbc news.

in a moment, we will be speaking to our correspondent danny savage, who's outside the royal victoria infirmary in newcastle, and to our health correspondent dominic hughes, who is on the wirral, but firstjudith moritz in york for us this evening, judith. yes, and this is the hotel where two people were staying when they became u nwell people were staying when they became unwell on wednesday night and were taken first to hospital in hull, and then on to newcastle. now, the hotel is functioning as normal today, its operators say, they have been advised that there is a minimal risk of ongoing infection and the apartment that the couple were staying and will be industrially cleaned, but they have been told it is set to continue operating. public health england tell us they are working to identify people who have beenin working to identify people who have been in close contact with this couple. now, there are some unknowns in that equation, public health england say they don't know how high that number of people is, we don't know the routes that they took when

they came into york, how long they we re they came into york, how long they were in the city, and where they we re were in the city, and where they were during their stay. at the city authorities have been quick to put people's minds at rest and to reassure them, they say, that all the agencies in york are working together to make sure that the city remains open for business, that it isa remains open for business, that it is a safe place to live, to work and to visit. well, it was overnight last night that there is two patience were brought to the royal victoria infirmary in newcastle, and it has a special infectious disease unit which is permanently on standby to deal with incidents such as these. this is where patients with suspected ebola were treated a few yea rs suspected ebola were treated a few years ago. it has special equipment ata years ago. it has special equipment at a special air filtration systems are nothing can escape from the unit. as for the patients, we don't know a huge amount about them, we don't know their condition, we know they are from the same family but we do not know what the exact connection with china is, and then there is the public perception. this isa there is the public perception. this is a busy hospital in the centre of

newcastle with many people coming and going through the day. i have to say that people seem fairly unconcerned with what is going on here at the moment, they know that there is a specialist unit, they know what is going on there, and they seem pretty comfortable with it. well, all day here at arrowe park hospital in the world, staff have been preparing the accommodation, nhs accommodation that you can see behind me for the arrival of these 83 eva cu ees behind me for the arrival of these 83 evacuees who are due here in the next hour and a half. the first thing they had to do was move out the nhs staff members who called these floods home, some for a number of years. they have been temporarily relocated in local hotels. 0nce of years. they have been temporarily relocated in local hotels. once that was completed, they started moving an item such as food, laundry, books, toys for children, all the things that are going to make 1a daysin things that are going to make 1a days in quarantine bearable. now, we do know that family groups will be able to stay together, cook their own food if they want, they will have access to the internet, to television, games consoles, and

there will also be on hand a specialist medical teams to help them if the need arises. but hopefully they won't be needed, and in14 hopefully they won't be needed, and in 1a days' time these 83 people, if all goes well, we'll be able to leave here fit and well and get on with their lives. colette many thanks, dominic. it's been three and a half years of political turmoil, but today, in just under five hours' time, the uk will formally leave the european union. from 11 o'clock tonight, we will no longer be eu citizens. but the country will still abide by the eu's rules and regulations until the end of the year, while the government attempts to strike a trade deal determining ourfuture relationship. the route to brexit has been anything but straightforward, as our political editor, laura kuenssberg, reports, on this historic day in british politics. bye— bye, bye—bye, eu, bye—bye! bye-bye, eu, bye-bye! to strive, not quite silent yet. change can

inspire. lets have a bit of pride in the country! be painfultoo. part of my identity has been taken away today. polite our departure from the eu is now real. and very, very nearly here. happy brexit day! have you split the country and two over brexit? the man who led the campaign, leading us out, now leading the country. borisjohnson still can't resist a joke about his midlife crisis orjoy at brexit. but he won'tjust be remembered now for the stands, the guards, but for oui’ for the stands, the guards, but for our exit. —— the stunts, the guards. but there are big risks. he hopes avoiding accidents rather than

wandering, ina avoiding accidents rather than wandering, in a few years' time, what have we done? put it in the recycling, it is all right! taking the cabinet to sunderland, the first city to vote leave on that night. the people of this country know that their rulers are directly accountable to them, young on the string and we will do what you say. there have been some strange scenes in uk's time in brussels. this is tremendous, one of the best days of my life! karen white the departure of the brexit party meps must be near the top. claire work nigel farage plotting to end our participation in the eu from the inside worked for him. participation in the eu from the inside worked for himlj participation in the eu from the inside worked for him. i will, of course, be watching like a hawk. i have enjoyed being the pantomime villain, they all start booing and jeering, i have enjoyed all of that! they might not miss him, but there is still regret in brussels from the

eu top brass. we regret the decision of the british people, but we respected, and now we open another chapter, the story of old friends and new beginnings. but as we leave one union, there is extra tension in oui’ one union, there is extra tension in our own. the snp believe this moment gives more muscle to scottish independence, but it will be a revolution, not revolution when they hands reach 11 tonight. we will still follow eu rules until the end of the air. expect arguments about what is next. we need to ensure that we do maintain good trade relationships with europe, we don't tearup all relationships with europe, we don't tear up all the conditions and agreements and we don't fall into the arms of tree —— free trade deals with the united states. colette profound change will reveal itself day by day, even as the arguments that nearly told this place apart begin to fade. the last four years have reshaped the contours of our

country, the part that stretches decades ahead is a different one now, and the grip of a political tribe dominant for so long is well and truly gone. obviously a very big day for our country, obviously i led the campaign to stay on but i accept that the referendum result and i knew this day would come. at the uk's home in brussels, the blue and gold comes down for good. here the unionjack gold comes down for good. here the union jack flutters over a moment gold comes down for good. here the unionjack flutters over a moment of pride for some and sorrow for others. so much is uncertain, one thing clear tonight — even after all the angst, decisions made in our democracy do, in the end, make change. laura is in downing street this evening. after 47 years of union, this divorce is a huge moment. it is, and the decision the country took in 2016 caused a collective nervous breakdown in westminster. it

was a real shock to the people who had been in charge for such a long time. that's why this has been such a torrid battle. we are now embarking on this and what follows might be quite white knuckle ride. tough trade talks lie ahead, so much has to be sorted out whether it is fishing, immigration, every part of oui’ fishing, immigration, every part of our law, rules and regulations that govern business. final details have to be hammered out and number 10 wa nts to to be hammered out and number 10 wants to do it by the end of the year. many people think that is extremely optimistic. in the big picture, the fundamental thing is after a ll picture, the fundamental thing is after all the doubts and jeopardy, that fundamental question has been settled and we will be leaving the european union in a few hours' time. that decision that was taken in 2016 bya that decision that was taken in 2016 by a narrow but clear majority confirmed overwhelmingly in the general election just before christmas, that is now what is going to happen, whatever your view of

that may be tonight. there is only a handful of days in politics around here, despite the daily soap opera, that you can say this is a genuine junction in our history. tonight is certainly one of them. many thanks. let's go live to brussels, and our europe editor, katya adler. this is the end of an era there too. absolutely. 0f this is the end of an era there too. absolutely. of course, this is a historic occasion for the uk but spare a thought for the eu as well. we've been part of the eu family for more than 45 years. tonight, the block loses one of its biggest and most influential members. we had big size, longer buys, an expression of regret and sorrow from eu leaders. today we heard from the president of the european parliament who said they would always be a sense of brotherhood towards the uk even after brexit. don't we know that

rifts between family members can sometimes be some of the most deep. what will happen after trade negotiations start between the eu and the uk? we've already heard government ministers wondering why the eu want to impose regulations on the eu want to impose regulations on the uk to get a free trade agreement that it hasn't asked for from canada 01’ that it hasn't asked for from canada orjapan? you see, canada and japan don't share the same history and geography with the eu. canada and japan can't suddenly become an overnight competitor to the eu, like the uk can. so, when eu leaders are 110w the uk can. so, when eu leaders are now saying to us after brexit we will love you but we will do you no favours across the negotiation table, they mean it. thank you. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has said that today was a "pivotal moment", with the "real and profound sadness" felt by many scots also tinged with anger, as scotland was being taken out of the eu against its will. 0ur scotland editor, sarah smith,

is at holyrood this evening. hundreds of demonstrators have already gathered here tonight and there are vigil is planned across scotla nd there are vigil is planned across scotland as well this evening. lamenting the fact we are leaving the eu, even though scotland voted to remain. many of the people here are now loudly demanding that they should have the right to have another referendum on scottish independence. the stars of the eu flag will no longer represent the uk, but many in scotland hope they can rejoin as an independent nation. that's why one artist is floating candles outside the scottish parliament, to symbolise the request to the eu that they leave a light on waiting for scotland's return. i'm hoping that scotland will have the bravery to choose independence and to find a way of continuing to live in friendship with its neighbours. nicola sturgeon now sees brexit as an opportunity to persuade pro—eu scots they would be better

off with independence. 11 o'clock tonight, the uk that scotland voted to be part of in 2014 ceases to exist. and that's the reality. you say you want an independence referendum this year. that would be before we know what our future, what the uk's future relationship with the eu is going to be. how can you ask people to make a choice when they don't know what the alternative is? i think we know the direction of travel. we know that we have a uk government setting a course of divergence and deregulation that will threaten our economy and threaten the very fabric of our society. i think it's disappointing that the snp government doesn't now really want to get on with making a success of brexit, it wants to frustrate it, almost to see scotland fail outside of the eu, if that helps the independence agenda. the scottish parliament are refusing to lower the eu flag, as scotland voted to remain. that brexit debate may be over — arguments over scottish

independence are certainly not. sarah smith, bbc news, edinburgh. in wales, where the majority of people voted to leave, politicians have been marking the uk's final day in the european union. the first minister, mark drakeford, said the country would still remain a proud european nation after today. but as our wales correspondent hywel griffith reports, there is concern over what will replace decades of eu funding. ready, steady, go! breaking free or the end of the union — wherever you stand on brexit, it will now have real consequences in places like port talbot. this eu—funded project helps children at risk of falling out of education and into unemployment. but their grant finishes in two years. what happens next is a big unknown. there is hope more money can be found, but fears what will happen if not. some of the most vulnerable people

just aren't going to get perhaps the life chances that they would have otherwise. there is uncertainty, and i think the sooner things are decided, the better. there are plenty of questions hanging over the uk government's new shared prosperity fund, set to replace european aid, but who decides how and where it's spent still isn't clear — which has angered the welsh labour government. in the last 20 years, wales has received billions in european economic aid. it's proved a lifeline for places like port talbot, helping to pay for everything from bypasses to business units, and yet some areas here remain among the most deprived in western europe. which helps explain why a majority of people here voted to cut loose from the eu. the boss of this company in swansea believes it's time to stop decades of dependency. it will get rid of a lot of dead wood and a lot of unnecessary... dare i say kind ofjobsworthy kind of projects. i think it's going to refresh

the system, reboot it. if brexit is all about striking new deals, this team hopes there will be a way to secure new funding... good fire! ..and not face being left out in the cold. hywel griffith, bbc news, port talbot. 0ur ireland correspondent emma vardy joins us from the irish border. that border was once the source of so much tension during the brexit negotiations, what does this moment now mean for northern ireland? well, at 11pm this becomes the new frontier between the uk and the eu. for many people that is highly symbolic, but physically nothing will change. the compromise that's been agreed to keep the border open effectively for trade leaves it from here to the irish sea and in future northern ireland will have a sit in both camps, sticking by eu single market rules, making sure tariffs are market rules, making sure tariffs

a re collected market rules, making sure tariffs are collected but remaining part of the uk's global trade. that compromise has been highly controversial here. brexit has deepened old divisions in northern ireland. it became a fight about british and irish identities and now the parties on each side are being urged to come together. today leo varadkar spoke of his sadness that the uk was leaving the eu but said this isn't the end, it's only half—time and the next 11 months will determine how those special arrangements are going to work on the ground. many thanks. brexit has divided the country over the last three and a half years, and the uk's departure from the eu tonight has prompted a whole range of emotions. 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth has been to the west midlands to speak to leave and remain voters. with their flag is unfurled, brexit backing students were preparing to mark the moment at warwick university today. it's finally here, after three and half years. the

festive feel isn't universal. you can see over there they've got the flag. i don't know what they are cheering about. but members of the university's conservative association will be out for a curry later, celebrating what many see as the biggest political event of their lifetime. in terms of our political generation, it's the main issue, brexit was that change that we wanted. the british ballot box will decide the future of this country, not some european commission or the council of ministers. how do you think you will feel at 11pm? council of ministers. how do you think you will feel at “pm? i'm probably going to be a bit tipsy. just feel like a real meaningful end to little. for some, today is more because the sorrow. nearby instructed, this local pro—europe group will meet for a candlelit vigil before brexit becomes final. i've been dreading this day for a few years now and i couldn't let it pass without marking it. partly for myself, i just feel so

pass without marking it. partly for myself, ijust feel so devastated and angry. we've let down the kids because they've lost their right to live, love, learn and work across europe. what have we done?” live, love, learn and work across europe. what have we done? i think we'll be back in in the not—too—distant we'll be back in in the not—too—dista nt future. we'll be back in in the not-too-distant future. for some onlookers it might seem part of a long and weary process. does it feel like a big day? no, nothing still seems final. for others it is a significant moment. 1975 would have been ace. whether one of sadness or celebration. the rugby six nations kicks off tomorrow, with four new coaches and four new captains. but one person remains the same — the wales captain, alun wynjones, who's playing in his 14th six nations. he's been speaking to our sports correspondent andy swiss reports. familiar foes but some unfamiliar faces — an array of new skippers for the six nations, but if you're looking for experience, look no further.

1a years on from his debut, alun wynjones has history in his sights. after lifting last year's title, he set to win a world—record equalling 148th cap this championship, his remarkable desire undimmed. when i was a kid, i wanted to play for wales, i wanted to play rugby, and i don't forget that little kid, i remember why i started, i think that's important. as a player, as i am a little bit more mature in my career, you cherish the opportunity a lot more as well. 0thers, though, will also fancy their chances. ireland beat scotland twice last year... oh, that is brilliant from ireland! and they'll be favourites to do it again tomorrow. it's here at the stade de france in paris, though, that we have perhaps the most intriguing match of the weekend — france up against an england team looking to bounce back. england haven't played since their defeat in the world cup final, but their coach believes they can still become the best in the business. we want to be the sort of side that

when we play a game of rugby, the whole nation stops, that everyone wants to watch us play. i'm sure there's going to be a lot of english people over here, and we've got a great number of fans at home, so we're ready to go. england thrashed france last year, and they are the championship favourites, but all six nations will be looking for that title—winning touch. andy swiss, bbc news, paris. time for a look at the weather. here's helen willetts. thank you. if you're watching in dublin or cardiff, there is a risk there will be showers around. nothing changes in our weather as we move into february. it has been a mild january and will start mild with further outbreaks of rain. rain across southern counties, there is more to come as we go through the night and showers further north. with all that cloud, wind and rain 01’ with all that cloud, wind and rain or showers, another mild night. temperature is akin to the daytime average of this time of year. the rain hopefully across the south of

england and wales will have cleared through the morning. that's because we are a bit unsure how far north this weather system is going to drift. as it moves away, high pressure building on the south and a brief incursion of something slightly chilly particularly in the north tomorrow but overall a mild picture. we cleared the rain away from southern areas, showers follow and lengthy spells of rain for scotla nd and lengthy spells of rain for scotland and northern ireland drifting south. they will tend to fizzle out. the north—westerly wind setting in but feeling chillier across parts of scotland and northern ireland by the end of play. that chilly air doesn't last for long, our next area of rain moving in three saturday night into sunday. 0ne band moving away so hopefully brightening and drying in the south but the other band of rain coming in getting a smattering of snow over the hills of scotland. the next area

of low pressure will be moving in for the start of the new week. more rain on monday potentially but look at the chart for tuesday. just showing some drier weather. 0n the horizon we've got high pressure starting to build as we move into tuesday and wednesday. cutting off a brief blast of cold air with dry air to look forward to. that's all from the bbc news at 6, so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are.

hello and welcome along to sportsday with me ben croucher. we're live in cardiff as the six nations is set for kick off — can wales win back—to—back titles? a disappointing world cup for ireland and scotland sees