Researchers in Britain say the new strain of COVID-19 is more infectious than other variants, and could be more transmissible in children.
Scientists with the country's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) told reporters earlier this week the new variant is about 71 per cent more transmissible than other versions.
The new variant of the novel coronavirus has swept through southern Britain in recent weeks, prompting more than 40 countries to ban travellers from Britain.
Singapore, the Philippines and South Korea added themselves to the long list Tuesday: Singapore imposed an indefinite ban on all passengers from Britain into the city-state effective midnight local time Wednesday, the Philippines is suspending all flights to Britain effective Thursday, Christmas Eve, and South Korea has suspended flights from Britain until next Thursday, New Year's Eve.
But France has reversed course and lifted a 48-hour ban imposed Monday on all travel from Britain, allowing all passengers and truck drivers to enter the country as long as they have tested negative for the coronavirus within the previous 72 hours.
The ban left thousands of freight trucks carrying tons of perishable food and other goods stranded in Dover and other vital crossing points at the iconic English Channel that separates Britain and France.
Elsewhere in the world, Peru has become the latest country to surpass 1 million total confirmed coronavirus cases. The Health ministry announced Tuesday that 1,000,153 people have been infected, including 37,218 deaths. Peru is the fifth nation in Latin America to top the 1 million mark, joining Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico.
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