FINANCIAL MARKETS

TORONTO — Most North American stock markets fell Monday as a new strain of the coronavirus led to countries including Canada restricting travel from the United Kingdom, raising worries of more economic disruption after months of volatility.

Ottawa said late Sunday passenger flights from the U.K. into Canada would be suspended for 72 hours in an attempt to keep out the new strain of COVID-19.

“The week is starting off on a risk-off note, and really that’s on fears that the new strain of the virus that was reported in England will result in new lockdowns and potentially impact global growth. That’s the main story,” said Angelo Kourkafas, an analyst on the investment strategy team at Edward Jones.

Lower oil prices hit several Canadian energy companies and the energy sector had the worst of the sectoral results for Monday, dropping 2.67 per cent.