Mexico open to UK travel as new virus strain found

Mexican authorities announced Tuesday the country will keep its borders open to flights from the United Kingdom, where a new strain of the coronavirus was detected in recent days.

Assistant Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell remarked the policy was founded on recommendations by the World Health Organization.

The announcement came as the Europen Union advised against non-essential travel and France barring travel from the UK for 48 hours.

Mexico has not blocked the arrival of international flights during the pandemic, and has only recommended people to quarantine upon arrival to Mexico.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrardo said the first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will arrive Wednesday, and is only part of a 1.4 million batch that is expected to be completed by the end of January.

The army will start to distribute the vaccine later this week in a free campaign, aiming first for health workers and the elderly.

Mexico has more than 1.3 million confirmed cases with at least 118,598 deaths. Since Saturday, Mexico City and its suburbs returned to confinement due to the alarming growth of hospitalizations and infections.