The majority of European countries have or are considering banning travel from the UK to prevent the spread of a more infectious variant of coronavirus.
Both the Netherlands and Belgium have suspended all passenger flights entering from the UK after finding a case in the Netherlands of a new coronavirus strain that has been Spreading around Britain. Trains to Belgium have also been banned.
The ban, which started at 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Sunday and lasts until at least January 1, came just hours after Britain announced Tire 4 Lockdown for the southeast of England, including London, to slow the more infectious variant.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday introduced a new tier-four level of restrictions, scrapping a planned relaxation of rules over the Christmas period for millions of people.
The Dutch public health body, the RIVM, said it “recommends that any introduction of this virus strain from the United Kingdom be limited as much as possible by limiting and/or controlling passenger movements.”
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Cabinet said that other forms of transport were still under review.
The government of the Netherlands has sent a letter to the House of Representatives on Saturday evening informing the House of this decision.
Restrictions on travel from the United Kingdom
News item | 20-12-2020 | 00:59
A contagious new variant of coronavirus has been detected in the United Kingdom. This strain of the virus is thought to spread more easily and more quickly and is also harder to detect. In light of this, on Saturday afternoon, the UK government announced tougher restrictions for London, the South East of England and the East of England. The measures being introduced in the regions in question include the closure of non-essential shops, gyms, and entertainment venues, travel restrictions, and the urgent advice not to receive any visitors at home.
Sampling of a case in the Netherlands in early December revealed the same virus strain as that observed in the UK. Following the latest reports from the UK, this case is being investigated further. The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the municipal health service (GGD) and will look into who the individual concerned is, the circumstances in which they were infected and whether there are any known related cases.
On the basis of reports on the situation in the UK, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has reviewed the travel advisories for people arriving in the Netherlands from the United Kingdom. Pending further details and greater clarity on the situation in the United Kingdom, RIVM has advised that the risk of the new virus strain being introduced to the Netherlands should be minimised as much as possible by restricting or regulating travel from the UK. As a result, the Dutch government decided this evening to take the following precaution:
- At 06.00 local time on 20 December a ban on flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom will enter into force. This ban will remain in place until 1 January 2021 at the latest.
The government is closely monitoring developments abroad with regard to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and is considering additional measures regarding other modes of transport. Over the next few days, together with other EU member states, it will explore the scope for further limiting the risk of the new strain of the virus being brought over from the UK. The government wishes to emphasise once again that travelling abroad carries a substantial risk of spreading coronavirus. Do not travel unless it is absolutely essential.
A letter was sent to the House of Representatives on Saturday evening informing the House of this decision.
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