Countries ban flights to/from the UK over new COVID strain

Multiple European countries have banned flights to and from the United Kingdom following the discovery of a new, highly virulent strain of the SARS-CoV-19 virus in the country. On December 20, 2020, shortly after the UK itself announced a tighter lockdown, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Italy all imposed blanket bans on travel to the UK. Ireland has also banned all flights and restricted ferries to freight traffic “at least” through December 22 for the time being. The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland remains open. The French and the Belgian bans have also been imposed initially for two days. Both cover train and ferry traffic as well as air connections. Germany will also ban flights to and from South Africa, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn said. The ban will be in force through the end of the year. Bulgaria and the Netherlands have likewise decided to ban flights through December 31. In turn, the Italian ban will be in force through January 6. The Austrian authorities have yet to announce the details of their ban. Spain and Sweden said they were contemplating a similar moratorium on flights. El Salvador, Kuwait, and Iran have also suspended flights from the UK, while Turkey banned all services to the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Denmark. Short of suspending flights, Israel will ban all non-resident arrivals from the UK, South Africa, and Denmark, while residents arriving from these countries will be subject to quarantine. The Jerusalem Post reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the country to “close [to] the whole world immediately” during a cabinet meeting. Representatives from all European Union countries are expected to meet on Monday, December 21, to discuss a coordinated response to the development.