Several Countries, Including Russia, Suspend Air Traffic with Great Britain

Russia is suspending air traffic with Great Britain starting from December 22 at 00:00, as reported by the operational headquarters for the fight against the spread of coronavirus. The operational headquarters made the decision to temporarily halt air traffic with Great Britain due to the worsening epidemiological situation to prevent the importation and spread of the new coronavirus infection.

The restrictions will come into effect from 00:00 on December 22, 2020, and will remain in place for a week.

It is noted that a new strain of coronavirus has been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia, which was previously identified in Great Britain. Israel's government committee on coronavirus has decided to close its skies to flights from Great Britain, Denmark, and South Africa following the discovery of the new strain.

French authorities have announced that they will temporarily suspend flights from Great Britain, according to the country’s Transport Minister, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari. Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn confirmed that Germany will suspend air traffic with Great Britain from midnight, with restrictions being imposed on flights from South Africa starting Monday.

Several European countries have decided to suspend transportation links with Great Britain after the discovery of a new mutation of the coronavirus there. Previously, it was reported that residents of London have been leaving the city in large numbers following the announcement of new restrictions.

Earlier, it was confirmed in Great Britain that the new strain of coronavirus detected in the country could be up to 70% more infectious than the previous strains, requiring greater caution from the population. On Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions in London and the southeast of England, which, according to him, essentially amount to a lockdown. Following announcements from England, officials in Scotland and Wales have also declared stricter measures.