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4 more nations ban travel from countries with new Covid-19 variant

Khartoum - Sudan's ban will last three weeks and is subject to renewal.

Sudan will ban travellers from Britain, the Netherlands and South Africa from December 23 due to the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus, the head of the civil aviation authority told Reuters on Monday.

The ban will last three weeks subject to renewal and more countries could be added to the list as the situation develops, Ibrahim Adlan said.

Sweden bans travellers from Britain, Denmark over new Covid strain

Sweden will stop allowing in foreign travellers from Britain and Denmark in a bid to curb the rapid spread of a new strain of the coronavirus, the government said on Monday.

"To minimize the risk of it spreading here, the government has today decided on a ban of entry," Minister for the Interior Mikael Damberg told a news conference, adding that Swedish citizens were exempt from the ban.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that the new strain had led to spiralling infection numbers, and several European countries have since announced restrictions on travel.

Denmark's infectious disease authority said last week it had found nine cases of coronavirus infections involving the new strain from Nov 14. to December 3. It said it was monitoring the new strain closely.

Pakistan bans UK flights

The government of Pakistan announced travel restrictions on inbound flights from UK on Monday.

Belgium extends ban

Belgium decided on Monday to extend its travel ban on planes and trains coming from Britain for a further 24 hours until the end of Tuesday in a bid to keep out a new strain of the coronavirus, VRT broadcaster and Belga news agency reported.

In addition, only Belgian residents will be allowed to enter the country from December 23 to 31. From January 1, other people will be allowed to enter if they present proof of a recent negative Covid-19 test. Freight traffic remains permitted.