ITALY AND FRANCE TO SUSPEND FLIGHTS TO AND FROM UK OVER VIRUS FEARS

Sun 20 December 2020:

Italy plans to suspend flights to and from Britain over fears of a new strain of the coronavirus detected there, Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio said in a Facebook post.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists announced on Saturday that a new strain of the virus identified in the country was up to 70% more infectious than the original version.

“As a government we have the duty to protect Italians, for this reason, after having notified the British government, with the Ministry of Health we are about to sign the provision to suspend flights with Great Britain,” Di Maio said. “Our priority is to protect Italy and our compatriots.”

France considering ban on flights and trains from the UK

France is considering suspending flights and trains from Britain after a new coronavirus strain was detected there, BFM Television reported on Sunday.

An official decision was expected later on Sunday, BFM said without citing sources.

Officials at the transport ministry were not immediately available for comment.

The Netherlands said it will ban flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom from Sunday.