European States Ban Flights From UK due to Coronavirus

Today, an external ban imposed by some European countries on Britain after the outbreak of a new, faster-spreading strain of coronavirus.

The British government admitted the difficulty of controlling the new strain of "Covid-19" virus that appeared in the country in early December.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed, Saturday, that the new strain of Coronavirus is spreading faster than the "original one" by 70%, but it is not believed to be more lethal, stressing that vaccines remain effective.

British Health Minister Matt Hancock said that it is very difficult to control the new strain, called "VUI - 01/202012", so stricter restrictions have been imposed on London and the southeast of England and will continue for some time.

Some countries rushed to stop air flights to Britain, as a quick response to the outbreak of the new feared strain, and the list includes at least 5 countries so far.

The Netherlands announced a ban on flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom from Sunday, to remain in effect until January 1.

The Dutch government said, in a statement, that it is monitoring developments and is considering imposing additional measures in regards to other means of transport, and it has issued a warning to urge people not to travel unless it is necessary.

The Dutch decision came after "samples taken from an infected case in the country in early December revealed the same strain of virus found in the United Kingdom."

Also, the Dutch Public Health Authority recommended that "This strain of the virus from the United Kingdom should be limited as much as possible, by restricting or controlling the movement of passengers from the United Kingdom."

Belgium followed the same path as its neighbour, and announced the suspension of flights and train traffic from Britain, starting from midnight on Sunday.

In a statement to Belgian television, "VRT", Prime Minister Alexandre de Crew said that the suspension period will be at least 24 hours.

Scotland joined the Netherlands by announcing a decision banning travel from England to its territory to stop the new Coronavirus strain, adding that it will take effect during the holidays.

Prime Minister Nicolas Sturgeon said at a news conference on Saturday evening that Scotland had faced "the most dangerous juncture since the start of the pandemic, but the country could act on a preventive basis by banning travel from other regions."

Also, Germany is considering banning flights from Britain and South Africa, to prevent the spread of the new strain of the emerging Coronavirus.

A government source told "AFP", on Sunday, that the German government is considering taking a step similar to the Dutch decision to ban all flights from the United Kingdom as a serious option, to prevent the new Coronavirus strain from spreading to Berlin."