Britain to ban South American, Portugal arrivals over Brazil virus strain

LONDON: Britain will ban all arrivals from South America, Panama, Cape Verde and Portugal from 0400 GMT Friday over fears of importing a new coronavirus variant in Brazil, the UK government said.

“I’ve taken the urgent decision... following evidence of a new variant in Brazil,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Twitter.

“This measure does not apply to British and Irish Nationals and third country nationals with residence rights,” he added.

Shapps said such passengers returning from these destinations must nonetheless self-isolate for 10 days along with their households.

There will be an exemption for hauliers travelling from Portugal to allow transport of essential goods.

The Department for Transport said it was also imposing a ban on direct flights to England from the targeted countries, impacting services from Argentina, Brazil, Cape Verde and Portugal.

The embargo excludes cargo and freight without passengers, but no other exemptions – including those related to employment – would apply, it added.

Numerous virus variants have been identified since the pandemic began last year, including a more contagious one that has led to a surge of infections in Britain in recent months.However another strain, known as E484K, detected initially in South Africa and on subsequent variants in Brazil and Japan, has raised greater alarm among researchers over its possible impact on immunity. — AFP

— AFP file photo Photo shows passengers wearing PPE (personal protective equipment), including a face mask as a precautionary measure against Covid-19, walk through the arrivals hall after landing at at Terminal Two of London Heathrow Airport in west London.