Following the outbreak of a coronavirus of a different nature in Britain, many countries have now imposed or are considering imposing travel bans against Britain.
The Netherlands and Belgium have already suspended flights to Britain. Train service from London to Belgium has also been banned.
Italy's foreign minister says his government is considering banning flights. France and Germany are considering similar measures.
The new coronavirus is spreading rapidly in London and south-east England, according to British health officials. Amid serious concerns, a sudden lockdown was imposed yesterday in London and across much of south-east England.
What is going to be known about this new type of corovirus?
British researchers have described the spread of the virus in and around London as a new variant. They have not yet found evidence that it is much more deadly or fatal than the previous one. And they are not saying that the new coronavirus vaccine is working differently to deal with it.
Since the onset of the coronavirus epidemic, experts have warned that the new coronavirus virus, like any other virus, could be mutated. Changes in his characteristics and behavior may occur. Experts say the virus in and around London is one such variant of the new coronavirus.
What surprised researchers was that the virus was spreading much easier and faster. The new coronavirus is spreading at a rate of 70 percent more than the previous one. This is the reason behind the sudden and severe lockdown imposed by the British government on Friday. This has created considerable concern within the government.
The World Health Organization is also concerned. Coronavirus with this new feature is now found in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia, they say. They have therefore contacted the British government about it.
Strict lockdown again
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has acknowledged that coronavirus infection was out of control and that strict restrictions had to be imposed. He has hinted that this time the severe lockdown could last for two months.
The move by the government in the week before Christmas suggests the government is taking the situation very seriously.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said just a few days ago that it would be inhumane if the restrictions were not relaxed during Christmas, and then he spoke of relaxing the restrictions.
But within three days, he had to not only abandon the plan, but impose the opposite and stricter restrictions.
For one thing, the infection is getting out of control again.
The rate of infection or R number, it has gone above one again. This means that the more people who are infected every day, the more they are spreading it to more people.
In Britain, more than 3,000 people have died of coronavirus in the past week, and 173,000 have been infected with new infections in one week.
The infection is spreading very fast, especially in London and south-east England. And that's why Tier-Four, the highest level of lockdown, has been imposed in the region.
This lockdown means that people have to stay in their homes, except for those who have to go out for work or education. No one outside the house is allowed.
All but the essentials must be kept closed. Only one person can be seen in the open space outside the house while maintaining social distance.
No one can leave the area under this ban, no one can come from outside. As a result, all types of travel including trains and airlines will be disrupted.
The kind of severe lockdown that was seen in Europe earlier this year, London and its environs are now virtually back under the same kind of lockdown.
