Source: Bloomberg
The German government is considering a ban on flights to and from the U.K. and South Africa due to coronavirus mutations detected in both countries, Bild reported on Sunday, citing sources in the health ministry.
Germany is preparing a regulation similar to the one in the Netherlands, which won’t allow air passengers from the U.K. to enter in the country until Jan. 1. Any new rules must be approved by the German cabinet.
U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Sunday the new mutant strain of the coronavirus is “out of control” and suggested parts of England will be stuck in the new highest tier of restrictions until a vaccine is rolled out.
A new variant of the coronavirus is also circulating in South Africa, driving a surge in infections in the country, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Friday. The variant, initially called 501.V2, was discovered during genetic testing.
Categories: Health
London (CNN)The Netherlands and Belgium on Sunday imposed a ban on flights to the UK after a new variant of coronavirus, said by officials to spread faster than other strains, caused renewed restrictions in large parts of the country over the Christmas period.
The new strain of Covid-19, which prompted the UK government to impose a Tier 4 lockdown in London and southeastern England and tighten restrictions for all of England over the festive period, is “out of control,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday.
The Netherlands is banning all passenger flights coming from the United Kingdom from Sunday morning in order to minimize “as much as possible” the risk of the new strain from spreading in the Netherlands, according to a press release from the government. The flight ban will remain in place until the new year.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/20/uk/uk-coronavirus-variant-intl-gbr/index.html