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France announced on Sunday that it implemented a 48-hour ban on travel to Britain, joining a growing number of European countries that stopped travel to Britain after a new strain of the coronavirus was detected in that country. At least six European countries have announced that flights will stop if they have not already done so, while France and Belgium have banned train travel.
French officials said the 48-hour strike would give them time to find a “common doctrine” to stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variant. French president Emmanuel macron tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.
Germany, which holds the EU presidency, called a special crisis meeting for Monday to coordinate a response.
Top health officials in Britain say a new fast-moving variant of the coronavirus could be up to 70% more transmissible than previous ones. This strain appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England. But there is no evidence that the new strain is more lethal or would react differently to the vaccine, according to BBC News.
TOBY MELVILLE / REUTERS
As a result of the new strain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced a new level of coronavirus restrictions, the strictest yet, and canceled the five-day Christmas relaxation period that had been planned for December 23-27.
“I know how much excitement people get at this time of year and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren,” Johnson said Saturday. “But when the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defense.”
Johnson also said that the capital and other areas in the south of England currently under Level 3, the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, will be moved to a new, even more stringent Level 4 that requires all shops, hairdressers and places to visit. Non-essential indoor entertainment closes after the end of business hours on Saturday.
The videos went viral Saturday night of Brits filling London’s train stations in a last-minute fight to leave the city earlier. Christmas. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the rush to travel as “totally irresponsible behavior,” according to Sky News.
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said in “Face the nationOn 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 is found to be more contagious, it reinforces the importance of following existing social distancing. guidelines.
“Well, it’s very important that people know that viruses mutate all the time, and that doesn’t mean this virus is more dangerous,” Adams said. “We don’t even know if it’s really more contagious yet or not or if it just turned out to be a strain that was involved in a super spread event. At this time, we have no indication that it will affect our ability to continue vaccinating people or that it is more. dangerous or deadly than the strains that currently exist and are known to us. “
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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