The Belgian authorities have announced the suspension of all flights to or from the United Kingdom for at least 24 hours in response to the detection of a new, more contagious coronavirus strain with special incidence in London and the south-east of England. The Netherlands has also suspended flights, and France is “taking this seriously”.
The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, explained in statements to the VRT chain that Eurostar train journeys are also suspended, despite the fact that the new strain is still being studied. “We do not have a conclusive answer,” De Croo acknowledged.
The Belgian president has also announced preventive roadside checks, and passengers in the UK will be closely monitored to ensure they comply with quarantine rules. “We will provide very clear information to all newcomers about what is expected of them,” De Croo said.
The Dutch Minister of Health, Hugo de Jonge, previously announced the suspension of British communications with the Netherlands. “An infectious mutation of the COVID-19 virus (sic) is circulating in the UK. It is thought to spread more easily and faster and is more difficult to detect,” he explained.
In response to the peak of infections, the United Kingdom has decreed the closure of London and the south-east of the country, designated as Level 4 areas, forcing residents to stay in their homes with limited exceptions, closing non-essential leisure facilities and services and forcing work from home. , except in unappealable situations.
Although, in principle, the initial stipulated duration is two weeks, these restrictions will be reviewed on 30 December, the day on which the British government will decide on a possible extension to save, as far as possible, the last week of Christmas.