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BEIJING (REUTERS) – China will suspend direct flights to and from the UK, said Wang Wenbin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday (December 24), citing the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus.
“After much consideration, China has decided to take referrals from other countries and suspend flights to and from the UK,” Wang told reporters in a daily briefing.
“China will closely monitor relevant developments and dynamically adjust control measures depending on the situation,” Wang said.
There are currently eight weekly flights between mainland China and the United Kingdom, according to aviation data provider Variflight, including one from Air China, China Eastern Airlines and
South China Aerolienas.
British Airways operates two weekly flights from London to Shanghai.
Countries around the world are closing their borders to Great Britain after the emergence of a highly infectious new strain of coronavirus.
Hong Kong banned all flights arriving from Britain from Tuesday, becoming the first city in Asia to announce such a suspension.
Japan said Wednesday that it would ban non-Japanese from Britain after the new strain of the virus emerged.
Singapore has also joined 40 other countries in tightening restrictions on travelers arriving from Britain.
As with late Wednesday, all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with a history of travel to Great Britain in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore, the Health Ministry said Tuesday ( MOH).
This prohibition will also apply to all those who have obtained prior approval to enter Singapore. Returning Singaporeans and permanent residents will need to be tested upon arrival and again towards the end of their 14-day home stay notification period.
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