As concerns mount around the world about a mutated coronavirus strain, several nations are deciding to close their borders to control its spread.
Several countries have decided to close their borders and suspend commercial flights to control the spread of a new strain of coronavirus first discovered in the UK.
The identification of the highly infectious strain has caused chaos around the world, with many European and non-European countries closing their travel ties with the UK and disrupting trade before the Christmas holidays.
Some 20 countries, including Turkey, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Canada, have banned all flights from the UK and more countries are expected to follow suit.
Here is a list of nations closing their borders for the new COVID-19 strain:
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia suspended international commercial flights for a renewable week, although foreign flights already in the country can leave, the Interior Ministry said on Monday. The Gulf state closed its land and sea borders on Sunday.
The measures do not apply to the movement of goods from countries where the new COVID-19 strain has not appeared, said a ministry statement published on the state news agency SPA.
Kuwait
Neighboring Kuwait will suspend all commercial flights and close its land and sea borders from 11 pm local time (20:00 GMT) Monday until January 1, the government communications office said. Cargo operations will continue, he added.
Kuwait recorded a total of 147,979 coronavirus cases on Sunday, including 921 deaths and 143,926 recoveries.
Oman
Oman will close its land, air and sea borders for a week starting Tuesday, state television reported.
The decision will take effect from 1 am local time on Tuesday morning (23:00 GMT on Monday evening).
As of Monday, Oman recorded a total of 127,931 coronavirus cases, including 1,489 deaths and 119,745 recoveries.
Israel
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has decided that only Israeli citizens and foreigners with special permits, such as diplomats, will be allowed to enter the country.
They will be asked to isolate themselves at home, unless they are traveling from the UK, South Africa or Denmark, in which case they must stay in specially designated quarantine hotels.
Starting Wednesday at 2pm local time (12:00 GMT), all incoming Israeli travelers will be required to be quarantined for 10-14 days at hotels. The new regulations will apply initially for 10 days, with the possibility of an extension.
Spain
Spain will ban all UK travelers, except for Spanish nationals and residents, from entering the country starting Tuesday, the Spanish government said on Monday.
Controls will be intensified at the border with Gibraltar, where at least one case of the new COVID-19 variant has already been detected, the government added in a statement.
He said the entry ban for non-residents had been coordinated with neighboring Portugal, which announced its decision Sunday night.
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