While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday December 19, 2020 that the new strain of Covid-19 would be up to 70% more contagious than the previous one, some European Union member states have made the decision urgently to suspend transport to and from the UK.
A new strain 70% more contagious
The Netherlands were the first to suspend passenger flights from British territory after the discovery in early December of a case of contamination ” corresponding to the variant described in the United Kingdom According to the Dutch health ministry. All flights were therefore suspended until January 1, 2021.
The Netherlands were followed by Belgium which since yesterday has decided to stop train traffic in addition to suspending its flights. Austria, Romania, Ireland, Italy and Bulgaria have also taken action. As for Germany, Austria and Spain, they should soon formalize the same arrangements. Discussions are currently underway with the European authorities to have a coordinated response from the entire European Union.
Outside the European Union, other countries have already announced the suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom. This is the case of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Canada, Argentina, Colombia and Chile.
Suspension of traffic from the United Kingdom to France
Regarding the situation in France, the Minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, announced this Sunday, December 20 that the country was suspending ” traffic from the United Kingdom to France from midnight tonight », For a minimum period of 48 hours for all people. All connections (trains, planes, car) are affected by this measure and for the time being, only unaccompanied freight (transport of goods) will be authorized. In addition, French nationals wishing to return to France for the end of year celebrations will have to present a PCR test.
Cases of contamination reported in other countries
Beyond the UK, the new variant of the virus has also been seen in Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa according to the World Health Organization. On Sunday evening, Italy, in turn, reported a first case of contamination by the new strain from a patient who had just returned from the United Kingdom.
If this new strain sows panic, the vaccines would still remain effective according to statements by the German government. Indeed, the German Minister of Health Jens Spahn, declared that “ according to all that we know at the present time and following discussions which have taken place between the experts of the European authorities “, The new strain” has no impact on vaccines ” remaining ” just as effective “.