Italy, Belgium, others ban flights from UK over new COVID-19 strain

Reports indicate that Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and other European countries have banned flights from the United Kingdom (UK) over a new variant of COVID-19 in the country.

Other European countries such as Spain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Canada, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, Isreal, Ireland, and Austria have also banned flights from the UK.

Netherlands was the first country to ban flights from the UK after health officials confirmed at least one case of the same variant that prompted the UK to impose lockdown rules. Boris Johnson had warned on Saturday that the new strain has a 70% transmission rate.

“All passenger flights from Britain to the Netherlands have been banned until January 1, the Dutch government said. One case of the new strain has been found in the country,” the Italian Health Minister said.

On Sunday, Belgium followed suit and suspended all rain transport from the UK. Italy also announced its restriction measures same day too.

“There are a great many questions about this new mutation and if it is not already on the mainland”, adding that he hoped to have more clarity by Tuesday,” Alexander De Croo, Belgian prime minister said.

Italian Health Minister, Roberto Speranza, said that he had signed a decree “which blocks flights from Great Britain and prohibits entry into Italy of people who have stayed there during the last 14 days”.

He also said that anyone in Italy who recently travelled from Britain must be tested.

The new strain has been found in one person in Italy who recently returned from the UK.

The new strain of COVID-19, known as VUI-202012/01, was said to have emerged in the UK in mid-September and it is believed to be more contagious than the original strain.

On Sunday, December 20, former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, urged the Federal Government to ban all flights from the UK.

“The reason Nigeria took a harder than necessary hit during the first wave of the #COVID19 virus is that the Federal Government failed to heed the warnings of well-meaning Nigerians, like myself and others, to shut down our borders once the virus became a pandemic,” Atiku said.