France announced on Sunday that it has implemented a 48-hour travel ban to Britain, joining a growing number of European countries that have stopped travel to Britain after A new strain of Coronavirus It was discovered in that country. At least six European countries have announced that flights will stop if they do not already, while France and Belgium have banned train travel.
French officials said the 48-hour pause would give them time to find a “common faith” to stop the spread of the new virus. Covid-19 alternative. French President Emmanuel Macron He tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday.
Germany, which holds the European Union presidency, called a special meeting for the crisis on Monday to coordinate the response.
Canada also announced travel restrictions in the United Kingdom on Sunday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that all flights from the United Kingdom will be “banned from entering Canada” for 72 hours. The travel ban does not affect cargo shipments.
Britain’s top health officials say a new, fast-moving type of coronavirus could be up to 70% more transmissible than previous types. This strain appears to be the driver of its rapid spread in London and southern England. But there is no evidence that the new strain is more deadly or may interact differently to the vaccine, she said BBC News.
Toby Melville / Reuters
As a result of the new dynasty, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Saturday a A new level of coronavirus restrictions, Which is its most stringent yet, has canceled the planned five-day Christmas relaxation that had been planned from December 23-27.
“I know how much emotion people are investing in at this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren,” Johnson said on Saturday. “But when the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our defense approach.”
Johnson also said that the capital and other areas in southern England are currently subject to Level 3 – the highest level of coronavirus restrictions – will move to the new, stricter Level 4 which requires all non-essential stores, hairdressers and indoor entertainment venues to close after the end of Saturday’s business hours.
Videos went viral on Saturday evening of Britons packing London train stations in a last-minute stampede to leave the city before birthday. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the rush to travel as “totally irresponsible behavior,” he says Sky News.
American surgeon General Jerome Adams said, “Face the nation“On Sunday, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are investigating the new strain. But he stressed that even if it turns out to be more contagious, it reinforces the importance of following the current social distancing guidelines.
Adams said: “Well, it is very important for people to know that viruses are mutating all the time, and that does not mean that this virus is more dangerous.” “We don’t even know if the infection was actually more contagious or not or whether a strain was involved in a highly diffuse event. At the moment, we have no indication that it would harm our ability to continue vaccination or that it is more dangerous or deadly than the strains that are currently in place Which we know about. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
