Live: details emerge as government announces UK travel ban to Ireland

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said the government will make an announcement later today on restrictions on travel from the UK.

Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands have already banned travel from the UK today.

This comes after great concern regarding the new strain of Covid-19 found in the south east of England and which is “out of control”.

Minister Stephen Donnelly hinted on RTE’s News at One that some travel restrictions will be implemented here in Ireland.

The World Health Organization is in close contact with the UK regarding the new strain of Covid-19.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the mutated virus “out of control” when it blocked much of London and southern England on the Saturday before Christmas.

And the WHO has said they are looking to analyze the new strain and see what implications it could have, if any.

A WHO spokesperson said: “We are in close contact with UK officials about the new variant of the Covid-19 virus.

“They will continue to share information and results of their ongoing analyzes and studies. We will update Member States and the public as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant and its implications.

“In the meantime, we continue to advise people to take all protective measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and to comply with the guidelines of national authorities.”

We will have the latest updates here throughout the day.