Germany suspends air links with UK amid concerns over rapid spread of new COVID-19 strain

Germany became latest European country to suspend all UK bound flights amid growing concerns of an "out of control" new variant of coronavirus which is spreing at a much faster pace. Also, country will be introducing restrictions for South African flights on Monday, December 21. Discovery of new coronavirus variant in UK and South Africa, as per German Healthcare Minister Jens Spahn, is a turn of events. 

Germany suspends air links with UK 

According to reports by ANI, Spahn said, “ rapid spre [of virus], which is suspected of this mutation, changes a lot. refore, it is important to stop Germany's and continental Europe's air traffic [with United Kingdom]”. He ded, “refore, as a result of cooperation with Department of Transport, all planes from UK have been canceled starting from midnight. Tomorrow we will publish a federal government decree restricting entries from UK and South Africa, where re is a similar mutation of coronavirus”.

Apart from Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Bulgaria, Irish Republic, Turkey, India and Cana have alrey suspended flights with UK. As per reports by PTI, or countries to anunce restrictions include Hong Kong, Israel, Iran, Croatia, Argentina, Chile, Morocco and Kuwait. 

Re: UK PM To Hold Crisis Meeting As Several Countries Impose Travel Ban Over New COVID Strain

Johnson to hold crisis meeting 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be holding a crisis meeting on December 21 to discuss same. According to Guardian, meeting of COBRA civil contingencies committee comes amid warnings of “significant disruption” around ports in English Channel. transport of freight is also facing massive disruptions after France closed its border for 48 hours, which means lorries cant get across English Channel by boat. 

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Monday h anunced that scientists have identified a new variant of COVID-19 virus which could spre faster than previous strain. Based on preliminary modelling data, New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats visory Group (NERVTAG) w consider that new strain can spre significantly more quickly and could increase R by 0.4 or more. Johnson's CMO Chris Whitty on Saturday said that United Kingdom has alrey informed World Health Organisation (WHO) about new strain of COVID-19 virus. 

Re: After UK Identifies New Strain Of COVID-19; Saudi, Turkey, Or Nations Impose Travel Ban

WHO, on or hand, called for stronger containment measures across Europe. According to Associated Press, Cana and Poland are among latest countries to halt flights from UK, following le of many in Europe. France, Germany, Italy, Nerlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Ireland and Bulgaria were among those who on Sunday h anunced widespre restrictions on flights from Britain.

Re: France & Cana Impose UK Travel Bans Over New COVID-19 Variant Fears

Also Re: Health Ministry To Meet Today After Mutant Coronavirus Strain Spres Rapidly In UK

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