Sri Lanka bans UK arrivals over new Covid variant

Sri Lanka has banned international flights from the United Kingdom into the island in a bid to prevent the mutated strain of COVID-19 spreading throughout south-east England.

Airport and Aviation Services Chairman Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said the move will be in effect from 2.00 am tomorrow (23).  Stating that the decision will be in place until further notice, he said no passenger from the UK will be allowed to enter Sri Lanka or transit from today.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Italy initially went on to restrict flights from the UK, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the cancellation of Christmas shopping and gatherings in Southern England over the new coronavirus variant.

More than 40 countries have banned UK arrivals because of concerns about the spread of a new variant of coronavirus. Flights from the UK are being suspended to territories across the world including Spain, India and Hong Kong.

According to John Hopkins University data, the UK has confirmed more than 2 million infections. Meanwhile, fatalities from the virus stand over 67,000 in the European island nation.

The Sri Lankan Government recently announced that all airports in the country will be reopened for tourism from this Saturday (26) as part of a pilot project.

Cabinet Co-spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana told reporters today that Sri Lanka is on alert over the new coronavirus strain identified in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe.