Following the identification of a new variant of the coronavirus, many countries are banning international travel from the UK. France was the first country to close its border with the UK and has also blocked cargo transports for the first time, leading to blocked roads into ports. Poland, Turkey, Germany, France, Italy and Ireland have also blocked travellers from the UK. Many other countries are expected to follow suit today.
Turkish Airlines announced in a tweet that it has suspended all flights to the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa.
British Airways has announced that it is operating a “reduced and dynamic schedule” as it deals with the new restrictions that came with little warning this morning.
Over the weekend, London and the south east of England was placed into stricter lockdown measures, with all travel suspended and non-essential shops forced to close. The planned loosening of restrictions over the Christmas period has now also been changed to be restricted to one day only on Christmas day, with the new restrictions in the south east cancelling Christmas day plans for many.
The UK travel advice now warns that movement is being restricted and new quarantine measures may be brought in with little warning and it advises if you are travelling to be prepared to stay overseas longer than planned.