- More countries have banned arrivals from the UK because of concerns at the spread of a new variant of coronavirus.
- Hong Kong has joined countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Italy and has suspended UK flights.
- On Sunday evening , France shut its border with the UK for 48 hours, meaning no lorries or ferries will be able to sail from the port of Dover.
- As queues grow in Kent, the prime minister will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee later.
- Belgium, the Irish Republic and Canada have also suspended flights. India will halt flights from Tuesday evening until the evening of 31 December.
According to a recent news article published in BBC, UK’s isolation grows as more countries ban travel due to Covid 19.
Austria is bringing in the ban
Austria is also set to bring in a ban, while Bulgaria has suspended flights to and from the UK from midnight. Unlike the short-term measures in many other nations, its ban lasts until 31 January.
European Union member states are due to meet in Brussels later to discuss a co-ordinated response.
Health Secretary’s views
Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that the new variant of the virus – which may be up to 70% more transmissible – is “getting out of control”.
The new variant has spread quickly in London and south-east England, but health officials say there is no evidence that it is more deadly or would react differently to vaccines.
Government refunds
On Monday, the government pledged to provide refunds for rail and coach tickets bought for the Christmas travel window between 23 – 27 December, after millions of people across the UK saw their festive plans severely restricted or scrapped.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said this would apply to journeys in England booked on or after 24 November, when the Christmas travel window was announced.
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Source:BBC
