Mutated Corona Virus causes travel havoc in and out of the UK, affecting S A Tourism too!

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A mutated Corona Virus variant, which has appeared in the UK, and now is evident in South Africa, is causing havoc in that most European countries as are other countries, are banning flights from the UK from today, and South Africa has been added to this list by four countries to date too.

The new Virus strain is not said to be any worse than the current one in terms of its symptoms, but it is spreading 70% faster. It has led the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock to state that the Corona Virus in that country is ‘out of control’, and for a harsh Tier 4 Lockdown to be imposed in London and Southeast England. Yesterday the country recorded its highest number of new infections, at 35928 cases.

CNN reported yesterday that flights to and from the UK are not permitted in the following countries :

# Canada – for the next 72 hours

# Argentina

# Chile

# Colombia

# France – for 48 hours

# Republic of Ireland – today and tomorrow

# Italy

# Portugal – Portuguese citizens are the exception

#. Belgium – 24 hours today

# The Netherlands – until the beginning of January

# Latvia – until the beginning of January.

# Estonia – until the end of this year

# Turkey – has also banned flights from South Africa, the Netherlands, and Denmark

# Saudia Arabia – all international flights suspended for one week

# Israel – also banned flights from South Africa, and Denmark.

# Germany – including flights from South Africa (separate report)

# Switzerland – including flights from South Africa (separate report).

Countries added to the flight ban list are the following:

# Austria – from midnight tomorrow.

# Bulgaria – from 21 to 31 December

# Croatia

# Denmark – from today to 23=December

# Finland – from today until 4 January

# India – from 22 to 31 December

# Kuwait – starts from tomorrow

# Lithuania – from 21 to 21 December

# Czech Republic – from today

# Luxembourg – from yesterday for 24 hours

# Romania – from today for 14 days

# Sweden – no details yet

POSTSCRIPT 21/12. My friend Lisa Harlow sent me this update from the UK at midday today:

‘Hi Chris, just read your blog! One of the reason why I am hesitant to book anything even for March or April is that things change so quickly

Also I usually fly indirectly through Germany, France or Turkey!

Anyway some more info for you!

The EU are meeting as I write to try and find a working way around this for Europe

Freight is also affected with the main ports closed too.

Eurotunnel have suspended most trains. There are some leaving the UK empty and coming back with passengers. Same with a few flights

On top of this Heathrow and Gatwick and Luton airport are in Tier 4

No travel internationally if you live in Tier 4, apart from work or an emergency

Plus if you don’t live in Tier 4, you can’t travel into it either!

But I expect this mutation to start circulating in other countries too…

Just one last point on the horrible number yesterday. It’s the largest Sive they started mass testing. They actually think the numbers were higher in April

I’m glad, I am being a hermit and my dad was vaccinated last week with his next jab booked

They are saying vaccine transport from Belgium not affected as it comes in containers rather than roll on roll off lorries

What a mess! Hope you’re staying safe xx

Hi Chris, just read your blog! One of the reason why I am hesitant to book anything even for March or April is that things change so quickly