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The emergence of a mutated coronavirus strain in the UK, which is believed to increase the chances of transmission by 70%, is of great concern in European countries.
Britain “hurts” the planet after the discovery of a new strain of the coronavirus.
The concern is “red” as no one knows whether the mutation will affect the effectiveness of diagnostic tests.
The fact that it is transmitted faster means that countries’ health systems will be under more pressure.
Both the World Health Organization and the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) have asked European countries to intensify controls to stop the spread of the new strain, mainly by improving their detection capabilities.
At the same time, country after country will announce flight bans to and from the UK or stricter restrictions for UK travelers.
In fact, Emergency meeting of the European Crisis Mechanism (IPCR) It is scheduled this Monday morning, as announced by the representative of the German presidency of the EU, Sebastian Fischer.
The concern is compounded by the fact that beyond the UK, the same mutation has also been found in the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, and Italy.
Seven day quarantine
Starting today in Greece, all passengers arriving in the country by air from England will have to go into a seven-day quarantine until January 7.
With an urgent NOTAM issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), it was announced that the quarantine period will be extended from 3 to 7 days, for all passengers from Great Britain, following a relevant decision of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. For arrivals from all other countries, the quarantine time remains 3 days.
Likewise, passengers from England must have a negative molecular test, which will be carried out up to 72 hours before the trip, while they arrive in Greece they will undergo a rapid test.
Greece has the possibility to announce the ban on flights from Great Britain.
At the same time, the processing of the first mutation data is underway by scientists at the European level, who do not hide their intense concern about the detection of the modified strain of the virus.
Gogos: “The virus can become more contagious, more toxic”
“We have already seen several mutations from the beginning and they did not cause any problems. We don’t have data for this yet. “Until we have the data, we must be careful,” said, in statements to SKAI, the professor, Charalambos Gogos, and stated that “with the data we have so far, the measure of suspension of flights and closure of borders is heavy “.
Responding to the effects of the mutation, the professor explained that “the virus can become more contagious, more toxic, ‘invisible’ in the detection tests and cause an infection”.
Asked about the possible effects of the virus on vaccines, “we will soon have data on its antigenicity, spread and severity of the disease,” said Mr. Gogos. He advised in any case to avoid overcrowding, highlighting that the elimination of the confinement as of January 7 depends on epidemiological data.
Alarm in Europe
It should be noted that several European countries have already announced the total cessation of air and rail connections with Great Britain.
THE Germany announced a ban on flights from Britain, with the exception of commercial flights, tonight at midnight, without specifying the length of the measure.
THE Netherlands announced a ban at least until the end of the year and called for “greater clarity” from London on the mutation issue, stressing that the “additional risk of introducing the new virus strain should be minimized as much as possible.”
the Belgium issued a 24-hour no-fly zone starting at midnight on Sunday and cut rail links with Britain, including Eurostar.
Also read: Mosialos: Monitoring for coronavirus mutations – No reason for concern about vaccines
THE Italy bans flights from the UK until January 6 and bans anyone in the UK from entering Italy in the last 14 days.
THE France It also suspends flights and train services from Great Britain for 48 hours “including the transport of goods by road, air, rail and sea.”
THE Austria announced that flights from the UK would be suspended. The Health Ministry stated that “this mutation of the virus has not yet been detected in Austria” and that there is close contact with the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
He too Ireland suspends all flights from Britain as of midnight Sunday, with the decision valid for 48 hours, before the matter is reconsidered in the country’s cabinet. A government statement said “there will be” close coordination with the Northern Irish authorities. “
In Cyprus decided to quarantine travelers from Great Britain for 10 to 14 days, from 6 am on Monday, “until more information is available from the scientific community.”
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