A TEACHER from Southend claims he and other expats face becoming homeless in Vietnam due to the coronavirus.

Sean McLellan was working as an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh City in the country, but the schools have closed due to the pandemic.

This means he and other English expats have been left with no work and no way to pay for their accommodation or food.

The 31-year-old from Southend said: “I've been trying to contact the British consulate, our jobs have been shut down without pay for almost four months now.

“Me and most other expats I know are now running out of savings and worrying about what will happen soon.

“All flights are being stopped on the 24th of this month, borders have closed and embassies have stopped issuing visas meaning we are expected to rely on visa agents who have upped their prices to $400-500 for something that only costs $10 knowing they are our only choice.

“It is definitely a scary situation; I really don't know what is going to happen with me and other expats living here and in other foreign countries.

“I don't see this situation ending anytime soon and things are already difficult, mentally and financially.

“I am a member of expats groups here and I'm forever checking to see if there is any news on there and I see other countries governments helping their citizens, but I don't see anything about Britain.

“I didn't think this was going to become such a serious situation otherwise, I would have returned home months ago.

“For the last three months we have been given a date we would start to work again and every time, a few days before that date there is a new announcement extending this period.”

Mr McLellan has been attempting to get support or advice from the UK Foreign Office and British Consulate but has so far had no luck.

He is desperate for guidance and is keen to return home to a more secure future.

He added: “I think it would be best to return home as I can no longer sustain myself here and if facing homelessness in Vietnam, I'm likely to pick up the Virus and then will be expected to pay for treatment, right now that is impossible for me and many others.

“I even sourced another job, working as a telephone operative online from home. I got the job and then it was delayed due to everything going on right now.”

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We recognise that any British people currently overseas may be nervous about the impact of coronavirus on their travel and their health.

“We are in close contact with travel providers and our international partners to provide support to those British people affected by ongoing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”