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The new variant of the virus is more prevalent in the southeast of the country.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it is in “close contact” with the UK authorities after a new strain of covid-19 was detected in that country.
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This new variant is spreading faster than the original version, but it is believed that it is no more deadly.
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Large sections of the south-east of the UK, including the capital London, are now under new and more strict restrictions in order to slow down the rapid spread of the virus.
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The Netherlands banned flights from the UK because of this new strain.
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The restrictions came into effect on Sunday and will remain in effect until January 1, the Dutch government said.
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The measure was imposed after a case was found this month in the Netherlands that was revealed to be from the same strain of coronavirus found in the United Kingdom.
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The Dutch government said it will work with other European Union member countries in the coming days to “explore the possibilities of further limiting the risk of the new strain of virus arriving from the UK.”
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What do we know about the new variant?
In a message on Twitter, the WHO reported that it is talking with UK authorities about the new strain.
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There is no evidence as of yet that the vaccine does not work for this new strain.
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He noted that British authorities were sharing information on ongoing studies on this mutation, and that the WHO will inform member states and the public “as we learn more about the characteristics of this variant of the virus and any implications” .
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Although there is “considerable uncertainty”, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the new strain may be up to a 70% more transmittable than the previous ones.
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Still, the authorities note that there is currently no evidence to indicate that the new variant causes a higher death rate or that it responds differently to vaccines and treatments.
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“I think this is a situation that is going to make things much worse,” England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty said, but added that there are certain things that allow for optimism, such as the fact that the vaccine is starting to be used. , which as assumed so far will work for the new variant.
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What other things are happening in Europe in relation to the coronavirus?
In UK, the relaxation of the rules planned for Christmas was suspended in large areas of the southeast of the country and restricted only to Christmas Day for the rest of England, Scotland and Wales.
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Non-essential stores will be closed until the end of the year in the British capital.
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Italy imposed a national quarantine for much of the Christmas and New Year period. Non-essential shops, restaurants and bars will be closed, and Italians will only be able to travel for a limited number of reasons.
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The Netherlands and Germany they have imposed quarantines until January. In Germany, just for Christmas, the members of a household can receive up to four close family members.
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Austria will enter its third quarantine after Christmas. From December 26 all non-essential stores will be closed and movements outside the house will be restricted.
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Sweden recommended the use of masks in public transport during rush hour, correcting its previous recommendations.
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The president of FranceEmmanuel Macron is “stable” after being diagnosed with coronavirus, his office noted on Saturday. Although he suffers from symptoms such as coughing and fatigue, he has continued to work, they report.
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The prime minister of SlovakiaIgor Matovic, who participated in an EU summit with Macron last week, tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
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Several other European leaders who also participated in the meeting reported that they will remain in isolation.
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