New Covid super-strain: UK to ban all Brazil flights

As the world prepares to tackle the new Covid super-strain, the United Kingdom has plans to ban flights from Brazil as well as other South American countries.

According to a report in Mail Online, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted that he is concerned about the latest mutant and a decision on banning flights totally from South American countries is under consideration.

“We already have tough measures… to protect this country from new infections coming in from abroad. We are taking steps to do that in respect of the Brazilian variant,” Johnson said.

According to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the move to delay Covid tests are being pushed back to give people 'time to prepare’ as MPs questioned why the to test when entering the UK are being imposed 10 months after the pandemic began.

The Brazilian variant is expected to strike a huge blow to the UK economy as plans to return to normal have been held back.

Johnson has accused ministers of failing to tighten the borders to stem the spread of the new variant.

Home Office minister Victoria Atkins informed that quarantine is compulsory for travellers coming into the UK.

“Of course, people flying into the UK, whether from South America or elsewhere are required to have a 10-day quarantine period when they land in the UK. That is mandatory. In terms of the decision on travel measures, it takes a little bit of time… We need to ensure is that when we make these very, very important decisions that have a huge impact on people's personal lives, but also businesses,” she was quoted as saying in the Mail report.

Home affairs committee chairman Yvette Cooper questioned Johnson on why the country’s borders were not shut to Brazil travellers after news of the new strain broke out.

The requirement for all international passengers coming to the UK to show a negative Covid-19 test was due to come into effect on Friday. Passengers are required to have to get a test up to 72 hours before they travel.