Coronavirus evacuees thank the people of Milton Keynes as they are discharged from quarantine

The 118 relieved guests finally left Kents Hill hotel on Sunday after repeated swab tests showed they were clear of the virus.

The hotel, which is also a major training and conference centre, remains closed this week until Sunday March 1.

Some local people reacted with alarm when the government announced on February 7 that dozens of British citizens were to be flown out of Wuhan, China'a coronavirus epicentre, to be evacuated to Milton Keynes.

Kents Hill hotel was turned into a hazardous infection control zone with workers wearing Hazmat suits to greet the evacuees.

Tesco donated brand new clothes and underwear for the travellers, and hotel staff left meals on trays outside their rooms to avoid any potential infection.

Within days, fears of infection abated and MK started to welcome the unexpected guests with open arms.

A Facebook group called Coronavirus Compassionate Milton Keynes was set up so messages could be exchanged to relieve the boredom of the guests, which included families with children and a woman who is six months pregnant.

An appeal was launched for books, games and items to help keep the visitors entertained, and the Milton Keynes Play Association HQ at Kiln Farm became a drop off point.

Nicole Haviland from the play association said: "People have been more than generous in their donations. Some people even offered to cook meals and drop them off."

She said arts and craft items, knitting needles and wool were popular items to help the guests pass the time.

Meanwhile one of the guests, Paul Walkinshaw, has praised the supporters and also the hotel staff.

"The staff were tremendous. If we wanted something from the supermarket they would go and get it, If we needed anything for our room they would get it for us."

He said he and his fellow guests were worried at first that local people would "protest" out of fear of them bringing Coronavirus to MK.

"We didn't know if we had the virus or not," he said.

Before he left the hotel, Paul, who lives in Manchester, put a message on the Facebook page to thank the public for their support and generosity.

"You've all been fantastic! It feels good to be finally going home," he wrote.