As European nations clamped down its borders with England over the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-sit-at-family-tables-missing-a-familiar-face-who-chief-tedros-shares-christmas-message-352326">coronavirus</a> variant, Germany identified the first case of the new strain.

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Baden-Wuerttemberg state's health ministry said: "It is the first known case in Germany."

Reports said the carrier was a woman who arrived at Germany's Frankfurt airport on December 20 from London. She was immediately taken to a quarantine centre after she tested positive for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-us-infectious-disease-expert-fauci-lie-or-move-goalposts-on-virus-vaccine-352331">virus</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-true-south-africa-denies-new-variant-is-deadlier-than-uks-strain-352306">Also Read:&nbsp;'Not true': South Africa denies new variant is deadlier than UK's strain</a>

"Today the virus variant B.1.1.7 was detected there," the state health ministry said. Germany has banned flights from the United Kingdom after PM Johnson last Saturday had declared that the new virus variant was "70 per cent" more transferable.

Germany's health minister had said last week that the new virus strain&nbsp;"has no impact on the vaccines" and was "effective" against the new variant.

The country has also banned all flight arrivals from South Africa until January 6 after the UK declared the new virus variant had emerged from the African country. Several countries including Norway, Denmark and China have banned flights from the UK.

Canada has also suspended flights from the UK until early January.

Germany had announced Germany a partial lockdown last week after a surge in cases and has cancelled its famous Christmas markets. The country recorded 30,000 new infections last week despite the lockdown in force as it continues to battle the pandemic.

The worst-hit coronavirus cases in the country at the moment are in Germany's eastern region in Bautzen and Goerlitz districts in Saxony where coronavirus rates currently stand at 600 per 100,000 people.

As European nations clamped down its borders with England over the new coronavirus variant, Germany identified the first case of the new strain. Watch: Baden-Wuerttemberg state's health ministry said: "It is the first known case in Germany.

As European nations clamped down its borders with England over the new coronavirus variant, Germany identified the first case of the new strain. Watch: Baden-Wuerttemberg state's health ministry said: "It is the first known case in Germany." Reports said the carrier was a woman who arrived at Germany's Frankfurt airport on December 20 from London. She was immediately taken to a quarantine centre after she tested positive for the virus. Also Read: 'Not true': South Africa denies new variant is deadlier than UK's strain "Today the virus variant B.1.1.7 was detected there," the state health ministry said. Germany has banned flights from the United Kingdom after PM Johnson last Saturday had declared that the new virus variant was "70 per cent" more transferable. Germany's health minister had said last week that the new virus strain "has no impact on the vaccines" and was "effective" against the new variant. The country has also banned all flight arrivals from South Africa until January 6 after the UK declared the new virus variant had emerged from the African country. Several countries including Norway, Denmark and China have banned flights from the UK. Canada has also suspended flights from the UK until early January. Germany had announced Germany a partial lockdown last week after a surge in cases and has cancelled its famous Christmas markets. The country recorded 30,000 new infections last week despite the lockdown in force as it continues to battle the pandemic. The worst-hit coronavirus cases in the country at the moment are in Germany's eastern region in Bautzen and Goerlitz districts in Saxony where coronavirus rates currently stand at 600 per 100,000 people.

Germany reports first case of new virus strain as woman arrives at Frankfurt airport from London

The scientists in South Africa believe that the news Covid-19 mutant found in the country is likely to be more transmissible, may hit young people harder, and maybe slightly more resistant to vaccines. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-strain-from-south-africa-detected-in-uk-health-secretary-matt-hancock-351873">Also read | New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in UK: Health secretary Matt Hancock</a>

The new strain, called the 501.V2 Variant, was first discovered in South African province Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said the new COVID-19 strain has three mutations and has spread in South Africa. The first case of this COVID-19 mutant was reported in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The new coronavirus strain has affected many young people and those with no pre-existing health conditions.

Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases expert in South Africa, said the efficacy of existing vaccines against this variant could not be ascertained. Another red flag was the possibility of reinfection in those people who have already contracted coronavirus.

Meanwhile, with reports of a new strain over eight countries have so far closed doors to passengers coming from South Africa. Germany, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, the UK, Uzbekistan and the Netherlands aren’t permitting any flights from South Africa to enter their country.

South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that people experiencing no symptoms have been testing positive for the virus, adding, "The evidence that has been collated, therefore, strongly suggests that the current second wave we are experiencing is being driven by this new variant," reported ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists in South Africa believe that the news Covid-19 mutant found in the country is likely to be more transmissible, may hit young people harder, and maybe slightly more resistant to vaccines.

The scientists in South Africa believe that the news Covid-19 mutant found in the country is likely to be more transmissible, may hit young people harder, and maybe slightly more resistant to vaccines. Also read | New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in UK: Health secretary Matt Hancock The new strain, called the 501.V2 Variant, was first discovered in South African province Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape. South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said the new COVID-19 strain has three mutations and has spread in South Africa. The first case of this COVID-19 mutant was reported in Nelson Mandela Bay. The new coronavirus strain has affected many young people and those with no pre-existing health conditions. Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases expert in South Africa, said the efficacy of existing vaccines against this variant could not be ascertained. Another red flag was the possibility of reinfection in those people who have already contracted coronavirus. Meanwhile, with reports of a new strain over eight countries have so far closed doors to passengers coming from South Africa. Germany, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, the UK, Uzbekistan and the Netherlands aren’t permitting any flights from South Africa to enter their country. South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that people experiencing no symptoms have been testing positive for the virus, adding, "The evidence that has been collated, therefore, strongly suggests that the current second wave we are experiencing is being driven by this new variant," reported ANI. (With inputs from agencies)

New Covid-19 mutant found in South Africa spreads more swiftly

A day after the UK government declared a new strain of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-mutant-found-in-south-africa-spreads-more-swiftly-351972">coronavirus </a>was discovered from South Africa, China on suspended flights from Britain.

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“Taking into account the changing nature of the virus and the impact this could have, and to safeguard the health of Chinese and foreigners coming and going, the Chinese side decided to suspend flights with Britain, after a thorough evaluation and consultation of other countries’ policies,” China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/families-of-coronavirus-victims-sue-italy-for-100-million-euros-351928">EU </a>countries including other governments announced a ban on flights from the UK after a COVID-19 variant was announced by British PM Johnson last Saturday.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, British foreign secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-strain-from-south-africa-detected-in-uk-health-secretary-matt-hancock-351873">Matt Hankock</a> had declared another strain was discovered in the UK which had come in from South Africa with two infected cases reported in the country.

The Johnson government moved quickly to introduce restrictions on travel from South Africa over the spread of another new variant of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-will-stay-with-us-for-the-next-10-years-says-vaccine-creator-351920">coronavirus</a>.

However, several European countries have now started easing travel bans imposed on Britain which has been negotiating with the EU for a last-minute Brexit deal which is set to announced shortly.

France had blocked the land border on Monday after PM Johnson declared that the new strain was "70 per cent" more transferrable leading several thousand trucks stranded at the French-UK border at Dover.&nbsp;

Although the trucks were allowed to move early on Tuesday but British authorities insisted on a COVID-19 test for drivers leading to scuffles at the border as several truckers complained they would be stuck for days and would not make it in time for Christmas with their families even as WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge said that the UN body would "discuss strategies for testing, reducing transmission &amp; communicating risks."

Meanwhile, the Europen Union is planning to kick off its vaccination from December 27 as most of Europe is being forced to celebrate Christmas at home.

A day after the UK government declared a new strain of coronavirus was discovered from South Africa, China on suspended flights from Britain. Watch: “Taking into account the changing nature of the virus and the impact this could have, and to safeguard the health of Chinese and foreigners coming and going, the Chinese side decided to suspend flights with Britain, after a thorough evaluation and consultation of other countries’ policies,” China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

A day after the UK government declared a new strain of coronavirus was discovered from South Africa, China on suspended flights from Britain. Watch: “Taking into account the changing nature of the virus and the impact this could have, and to safeguard the health of Chinese and foreigners coming and going, the Chinese side decided to suspend flights with Britain, after a thorough evaluation and consultation of other countries’ policies,” China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. EU countries including other governments announced a ban on flights from the UK after a COVID-19 variant was announced by British PM Johnson last Saturday. On Wednesday, British foreign secretary Matt Hankock had declared another strain was discovered in the UK which had come in from South Africa with two infected cases reported in the country. The Johnson government moved quickly to introduce restrictions on travel from South Africa over the spread of another new variant of coronavirus. However, several European countries have now started easing travel bans imposed on Britain which has been negotiating with the EU for a last-minute Brexit deal which is set to announced shortly. France had blocked the land border on Monday after PM Johnson declared that the new strain was "70 per cent" more transferrable leading several thousand trucks stranded at the French-UK border at Dover. Although the trucks were allowed to move early on Tuesday but British authorities insisted on a COVID-19 test for drivers leading to scuffles at the border as several truckers complained they would be stuck for days and would not make it in time for Christmas with their families even as WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge said that the UN body would "discuss strategies for testing, reducing transmission & communicating risks." Meanwhile, the Europen Union is planning to kick off its vaccination from December 27 as most of Europe is being forced to celebrate Christmas at home.

Now, China suspends UK flights over new virus strain

As the UK battles a new strain of coronavirus, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said another new strain of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-trump-rejects-covid-19-stimulus-package-us-orders-another-100-million-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-doses-351856">COVID-19 </a>has been detected which has originated from South Africa.

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"Anyone who has been in South Africa during the last fortnight or anyone who was&nbsp;in close contact with anyone in South Africa must be quarantined immediately," Hancock said, adding, "all travellers from South Africa in the past two weeks must isolate immediately due to the new variant which has been identified."

"The development is “highly concerning” because the new variant is more transmissible and appears to have mutated further," he added. Hancock said South Africa has been placed in immediate travel restriction with two cases detected in the country.

As the virus continues to surge in the country, the health secretary informed that there has been a significant number of new variant cases rising in East Anglia.

Hancock announced that Essex, Norfolk, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day while Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Warrington enter Tier 3 restrictions.

"Cornwall and Herefordshire will go into Tier 2 from&nbsp;Boxing Day," he said.

British PM Johnson last Saturday had said a new strain of the virus was discovered which was "70 per cent" more transferable while announcing&nbsp;Tier 4 lockdown measures across England.

The&nbsp; British PM's revelation had lead several countries to impose travel restrictions on UK which is expected to continue in the New Year.

As the UK battles a new strain of coronavirus, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said another new strain of COVID-19 has been detected which has originated from South Africa.

As the UK battles a new strain of coronavirus, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said another new strain of COVID-19 has been detected which has originated from South Africa. Watch: "Anyone who has been in South Africa during the last fortnight or anyone who was in close contact with anyone in South Africa must be quarantined immediately," Hancock said, adding, "all travellers from South Africa in the past two weeks must isolate immediately due to the new variant which has been identified." "The development is “highly concerning” because the new variant is more transmissible and appears to have mutated further," he added. Hancock said South Africa has been placed in immediate travel restriction with two cases detected in the country. As the virus continues to surge in the country, the health secretary informed that there has been a significant number of new variant cases rising in East Anglia. Hancock announced that Essex, Norfolk, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day while Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Warrington enter Tier 3 restrictions. "Cornwall and Herefordshire will go into Tier 2 from Boxing Day," he said. British PM Johnson last Saturday had said a new strain of the virus was discovered which was "70 per cent" more transferable while announcing Tier 4 lockdown measures across England. The British PM's revelation had lead several countries to impose travel restrictions on UK which is expected to continue in the New Year.

New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in UK: Health secretary Matt Hancock