According to news from Agence France-Presse, Copenhagen, on December 20 local time, the WHO Regional Office for Europe stated that in the face of the spread of new variants of the new crown virus in the UK, WHO called on European member states to step up prevention and control measures.


According to WHO, in addition to the United Kingdom, Denmark has reported 9 cases of new strains, and the Netherlands and Australia each have 1 case.


A spokesperson for the WHO Regional Office for Europe said: "The spread of (the new strain) in Europe is strong and widespread, and countries should strengthen control and preventive measures."


Further reading

The spread of new crown variants is out of control! Many countries have taken urgent action against Britain...

On the 14th local time, British Health Secretary Matt Hankow said that a new variant of the new coronavirus is accelerating its spread in parts of England. On the 19th, Prime Minister Johnson stated that the spread of the virus after mutation is 70% higher than that of existing virus strains.


Affected by this, many countries have announced measures such as closing borders and suspending flights to and from the UK in response to new variants of the new crown virus. As of 5 o'clock on the 21st, Beijing time, at least 11 countries have taken action...

Italy suspends flights to and from the UK

On December 20, local time, Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio stated on social media that in response to the British warning against new variants of the new crown virus, for the sake of protecting the health of the people, the Italian government will sign relevant decree and stop after notifying the British government. Fly all flights to and from the UK.

Italian Health Minister Speranza said in an interview with local media on the same day that the new variant of the new crown virus is spreading rapidly and the grounding decision is a preventive measure. He believes that other European countries will also take similar actions in the future.


Spain asks the EU to take joint measures to block flights from the UK


On December 20, local time, the Spanish Prime Minister's Office issued a statement stating that the Spanish government had requested European Commission President Von der Lein and European Council President Michel to take joint measures at the EU level to prevent flights from the UK from entering the EU.

The Spanish government stated that if the EU does not respond in a timely manner, the Spanish government will take action to ensure the safety of citizens.

Austria bans flights from the UK

According to news from the Austrian National Radio and Television Station, on December 20 local time, in view of the increased risk of infection of the new variant of the new coronavirus in the UK, Austria will ban flights from the UK from landing in the country.

Andreas Bergtaler of the Vienna Medical Research Center stated on his social media that so far, Austria has not found a new variant of the new coronavirus in the UK, and the virus may have isolated mutations. The Austrian Ministry of Health also stated that it will work closely with the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Belgium suspends Eurostar express trains to and from London, closes the border with Britain for at least 24 hours

On the 20th local time, Belgium stopped the Eurostar express train to and from London.

At the same time, Belgian Prime Minister De Crowe announced that from the 20th, the border between Belgium and the United Kingdom will be temporarily closed.

France announces a 48-hour suspension of British land, sea and air traffic entry

On the evening of the 20th local time, Jean Baptiste Jebari, Minister of Transport of the French Government, announced that starting from midnight on the 20th, France will temporarily ban flights, trains and ferries from the United Kingdom from entering the country for 48 hours. However, people and transportation to the UK are not restricted.

Kuwait announces that it will suspend civil aviation flights to and from the UK

Kuwait’s civil aviation department issued a statement on the afternoon of the 20th local time, stating that in order to avoid the spread of new variants of the new crown virus in Kuwait, the civil aviation department, after coordinating with the health department, decided to suspend civil flights between Kuwait and the United Kingdom, and at the same time list the United Kingdom as a high-risk country. On the list, Kuwait is also the first Arab country to announce a grounding order against the United Kingdom.

Bulgaria announced that all persons from the UK must be quarantined for 10 days

The Bulgarian Minister of Health, Andherov, announced on the 20th that in response to the threat of a mutant new crown virus that has recently emerged in the UK. From 17:00 on that day, all persons from the UK (including those of Bulgarian nationality) must be quarantined for 10 days after entering Bulgaria.

Greece announces 7 days isolation for entry from the UK

The Ministry of Civil Protection of Greece announced on December 20 that from 6 am local time on the 21st, all people from the UK will be required to be quarantined for 7 days after entering Greece. People from other countries still need to abide by the original regulations, that is, compulsory isolation for three days after entering Greece.

Switzerland closes air traffic with Britain and South Africa

The Swiss Federal Civil Aviation Authority announced on December 20 that due to the new situation of the new crown epidemic in the United Kingdom and South Africa, starting at midnight that day, Switzerland will suspend air traffic between these two countries until further notice. This emergency measure has been notified to relevant airports and airlines.

Turkey announces suspension of civil aviation flights to and from the UK, Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa

The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority announced on its social account late on December 20, local time, that Turkey will suspend civil aviation flights to and from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa until further notice.

Portugal announced that only citizens of that country and those with a Portuguese residence permit will be allowed to enter from the UK

On the evening of December 20, local time, the Portuguese government announced that from 0:00 on December 21, local time, only travelers with Portuguese nationality or residence permits in that country will be allowed to enter Portugal from the UK, and inbound travelers must present the new crown virus on arrival The test is negative.