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Many European countries have started imposing travel bans on the UK due to the emergence of a more infectious and vulnerable variant of the coronavirus in the UK.
Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium announced the emergency suspension of flights to and from the UK over the weekend, but the measures are different in each region, mainly short-term control measures. France has also started regulating the shipment of goods to and from Great Britain.
Today’s meeting of the European Union (21 December) will coordinate the relevant response measures.
The new variant of the virus has spread rapidly in the British capital, London, and in south-east England.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday (19) imposed new stringent fourth-level epidemic control measures in these areas, canceling the original plan to relax restrictions during the Christmas period, which affects millions of people.
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The Eurostar from London to Belgium stopped. (Profile picture)
Senior British health officials said there is no evidence that the new variant of the virus is more lethal or responds differently to the vaccine. But facts have shown that this variant of the virus spreads 70% faster.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain of the virus “has been out of control and we must control the situation.”
As of Saturday UK local time (December 19), the number of new coronavirus infections in the UK has exceeded 2 million and the number of new corona deaths has exceeded 67,000. BBC Chinese has learned that many foreign students in London have also again expressed their helplessness over the blockade and have criticized the British government’s anti-epidemic measures.
European countries act
NetherlandsHe said that just hours after the UK announced the virus variant and expanded the lockdown on Saturday, all UK passenger planes will be banned from flying to the Netherlands until January 1, 2021.
Later on local Sunday (20), the Netherlands also declared that it will prohibit ferry passengers from arriving from the UK and that the charter will continue.
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There was a long line of trucks at the Dover terminal.
FranceFrom midnight local time on Sunday, all traffic channels with the UK (including cargo trucks) will be suspended for 48 hours.
Thousands of trucks operate between these two countries every day.
In response to the French ban, the Anglo-French Submarine Tunnel stated that as of 10:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, vehicles will not be able to enter the Folkestone terminal and go to Calais, France. Those who booked a trip on Monday can get a refund. The train will continue to go to Folkestone from Calais.
Due to French restrictions, the ferry terminal from Dover to France is now closed, and all traffic outside the UK will be subject to a new notice.
The freight issue has become urgent and British Prime Minister Johnson will chair COBRA’s emergency response meeting on Monday.
inIrelandAt the end of each year, UK passenger traffic is very high. Due to the virus strain, the government announced that flights from England, Wales and Scotland will be banned for at least 48 hours starting at midnight local time. “For public health, people in the UK, regardless of nationality, should not travel by air or sea. Ireland. “The statement said.
inGermanyAccording to an order from the Transport Ministry, British planes will not be able to land after midnight on Sunday, except for cargo.
BelgiumStarting at midnight on Sunday, flights and train arrivals from the UK will be suspended for at least 24 hours.
ItalyAll flights from the UK will be blocked until January 6. The country’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that the first case of the British variant was also found in Italy. The patient is isolated in Rome.
AustriaFlights from the UK will be prohibited. Bulgaria has suspended flights to and from the UK as of midnight, but unlike the short-term measures of many other countries, Bulgaria’s ban lasted until January 31.
TurkeywithSwitzerlandSimilarly, all flights from the UK are temporarily banned.
BulgariaIt also suspended flights to and from the UK from midnight local time on Sunday, but unlike short-term checks in other countries, Bulgaria’s ban will continue until January 31. Turkey and Switzerland temporarily ban all flights from the UK.
The EU meeting will be held at 10:00 GMT on Monday to coordinate EU actions.
Analysis: how terrible the mutant virus is
BBC medical and technology reporterJames Gallagher
The new variant of the virus was first discovered in September of this year. Statistics from November showed that a quarter of confirmed cases in London came from this variant of the virus. By mid-December, this number was approaching two-thirds.
The fusion of these three things has attracted a great deal of attention:
- It is rapidly replacing other versions of the new coronavirus.
- Importantly, it can partially affect the mutation of the new coronavirus.
- Some mutations have been tested in the laboratory, and the mutations enhance the virus’s ability to infect cells.
These factors have led to a more infectious variant of the new coronavirus. However, we still do not have a complete understanding of this new variant of the virus. Sometimes just for the moment or the location, like in London, the virus spreads quickly.
The virus strain is abnormally highly mutagenic and the most likely explanation is that it occurs in patients who cannot resist the virus and have a weak immune system.
There is no evidence that this variant of the virus is more deadly. And at least we see that the vaccines that have been developed will almost certainly work against you. But what is most concerning is that the virus has mutated again, avoiding the effect of the antibodies that the vaccine hopes to produce and rendering the vaccine ineffective.
