Travelers from the UK face further restrictions due to a new variant of the virus spreading within the country, and the US insists that Brits must have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of UK departure, Russia will impose a two-week quarantine on arriving travelers. from the UK, and Hong Kong extended its mandatory quarantine for most visitors to three weeks.
Germany, Switzerland and Japan joined a growing number of countries that have identified their first cases of the variant of the coronavirus that has emerged in the United Kingdom, which according to one study is 56% more transmissible than other strains, although there is no evidence clear that it results in more severe cases of the disease.
South Africa rejected claims that a mutated strain found in the country has contributed to a second wave of infections in the UK and criticized its decision to impose travel restrictions.
Beijing advises its residents not to leave the city during the holidays due to the recent resurgence of infections. Japan is also asking people to stay home for the New Year and is considering changes to its virus law, such as fining bars and restaurants that do not comply with instructions to close early.
(This story was posted from a cable agency feed with no changes to the text.)
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