More than 40 countries have suspended travel with the United Kingdom as health officials announced a new coronavirus strain identified in the region was “out of control”.
As countries across Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East shut their borders with the UK, British authorities imposed stricter COVID-19 restrictions around London and south-eastern England.
Restrictions were also imposed on travel from other countries with documented cases of the new variant.
Outside of the UK, cases have been detected in Denmark, as well as four cases in Australia. There have also been reports of a case in the Netherlands.
Australian authorities said they were not planning on imposing tougher travel restrictions on the UK anytime soon.
The four cases in Australia were detected within hotel quarantine and authorities said the system was working and no further restrictions were necessary.
The Philippines, Canada, India, Hungary and Switzerland were among the latest countries to halt flights from Britain, following the lead of other European nations.
Here is a full list of travel restrictions imposed on the UK so far.
Europe
France: A deal between France and the UK was reached for French citizens to come home from the UK, provided they have proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
The deal also allowed British citizens who reside in France permanently and truckers to return to France provided they have a negative COVID test.
As part of the agreement, the military and NHS Test and Trace teams will establish multiple testing sites.
The France-UK border remains closed for all others.
Belgium: Belgium banned flights from the UK for 24 hours on Sunday, local time.
Leaders are waiting for more clarity until they take further action.
Germany: Germany reportedly cancelled passenger flights from the UK until December 31 and extended its ban on air passenger flights to a ban on all forms of transport until January 6.
Sweden: Sweden confirmed an entry ban from the UK and will also stop travellers from Denmark entering the country.
“To minimise the risk of it spreading here, the government has today decided on a ban of entry,” the minister for the interior, Mikael Damberg, said at a news conference, adding that Swedish citizens were exempt from the ban.
Luxembourg: Luxembourg said it would ban flights from the UK. The call comes as the country enters a national lockdown from December 26 to January 10.
Estonia: Estonia banned UK travel, beginning Sunday, December 20 at midnight until the end of 2020.
Latvia: Latvia suspended travel to and from the UK from December 21 to January 1, the Latvian Ministry of Transportation said on Sunday.
Lithuania: Lithuania’s Prime Minister took to Twitter to announce fights from the UK will be suspended.
Ireland: The Republic of Ireland’s government agreed it would ban travel from Britain until the end of the year, except for Irish residents and Irish-bound passengers stranded while transiting through British airports.
Czech Republic: Flights were suspended to and from the UK in Czechia. The advice was changed from a decision ruling that arrivals who spent at least 24 hours in the UK would need to isolate in the Czech Republic.
Denmark: Denmark, which has already detected cases of the new strain, suspended flights from the UK for 48 hours from Monday.
The Netherlands: Flights were banned from Britain until the new year.
Spain: Flights from the UK were suspended indefinitely from Tuesday, with those carrying Spanish citizens and residents excluded.
Switzerland: The country stopped foreign nationals arriving from the UK and South Africa and mandated quarantine for people arriving since December 14.
Asia
Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte banned all flights from the United Kingdom from December 24 until December 31.
Passengers who have been in the UK in the past 14 days before arrival to the Philippines, including those in transit, will also be temporarily restricted from entering the country.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong banned all flights from the UK.
Pakistan: Pakistan imposed a temporary ban on travellers arriving from Britain until December 29.
However, Pakistani nationals could return home from Britain if they provide a negative COVID-19 test.
India: India suspended flights from Britain until December 31.
Singapore: Singapore suspended flights to or from the UK from December 23, including those in transit. Returning Singapore citizens and permanent residents could enter after a negative COVID test but must isolate for 14 days.
United States and Canada
Canada: Canada has banned most passenger travel from the UK beginning at midnight on Sunday for at least 72 hours.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the news in a tweet which said it was being done for the protection of Canadians.
United States: United States Assistant Health Secretary Brett Giroir said that it was possible the US would also ban travel from the UK, but added nothing had been decided yet.
“I think everything is possible. We just need to put everything on the table, have an open scientific discussion and make the best recommendation,” he said.
According to the US embassy, US citizens in the UK who need to return home may be permitted to travel.
Middle East and Africa
Iran: Iran suspended all flights from the UK for two weeks.
Israel: Israel said it was barring entry to foreign citizens travelling from the UK, Denmark and South Africa.
Kuwait: Kuwait added the UK to a list of “high-risk” nations and banned flights.
Morocco: Morocco banned all flights to the UK beginning on Sunday.
Sudan: Sudan said it will ban travellers from the UK, the Netherlands and South Africa from Wednesday.
Turkey: Turkey suspended flights from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands and South Africa.
Australian stopovers like Thailand (Bangkok), UAE (Dubai) and Qatar remain unaffected for now.
But all flights, including transit, between the UK and Singapore from December 23 have been cancelled.
ABC/wires
— to www.abc.net.au
