The Netherlands has banned flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom as Britain detected a new coronavirus strain, Reuters reports with reference to the Dutch government's statement.
A travel ban will remain in place until January 1.
The government also noted that it is monitoring developments and is considering additional measures regarding other modes of transport.
The Netherlands added that in early December, sampling of a case in the country had revealed the same virus strain as that found in the UK.
In measures to control the spread of the virus, the government issued a “do not travel” advisory, unless it is absolutely essential.
The ban came after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists announced on Saturday that the new strain of coronavirus identified in the country is up to 70% more infectious.
Johnson also said London and southeast England, which are currently in the highest level of a three-tier system of rules, would now be placed in a new Tier 4 level.
As we reported earlier, South Africa has identified a new variant of the coronavirus that is driving the second wave of infections.
“We have convened this public briefing today to announce that a variant of the SARS-COV-2 Virus - currently termed 501.V2 Variant - has been identified by our genomics scientists here in South Africa,” the head of the country's Ministry of Health Zweli Mkhize said.
