Several European countries have banned flights to the UK because of the virus variant

Germany, France, Austria, Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium and Italy decided on Sunday to ban flights to the United Kingdom after the country detected a new variant of the coronavirus that has forced it to confine more than 20 million people.

There are no indications that the new variant is more lethal than previous ones, but there are indications that it is more infectious, which has raised alarm and the possibility of more European countries joining what already threatens to become an isolation of Britain.

The first to react was the Dutch government which chose to ban air passenger traffic with the UK immediately and for at least ten days, following a recommendation from the Dutch health authorities.

In a statement, the Dutch Ministry of Health confirmed that a study carried out in early December revealed that a virus with the variant described by the UK was also circulating and that following the alarm in London the health authorities are analysing this strain of coronavirus, how the first person affected was infected and whether there are any related cases.

The Dutch Institute of Public Health (RIVM) asked the Health Service to control the movement of passengers with the UK "as much as possible" in order to limit "the introduction of this strain of virus" into Dutch territory, so the Cabinet took the decision to ban air traffic from the British Isles at least until 1 January.

The ban does not cover the transport of goods, nor the mobility of health personnel, and ports, such as Rotterdam, are kept open, as well as rail transport, so that travel by car, train and ship is still possible.

The Belgian government's ban is provisionally for only 24 hours from midnight on Sunday, but in addition to air transport it includes rail transport, the country's prime minister, Alexander de Croo, told Flemish public television VRT.

De Croo explained that the measure will initially be applied for 24 hours because scientific analyses on the new variant of the coronavirus are still being carried out. "We do not have a conclusive answer," he admitted.

Belgium is in contact with France because Eurostar trains from the UK also pass through that country and passengers could then enter Belgian territory. The Belgian leader said that "preventive controls will be carried out on the roads".

Italy has also suspended flights, banning people who have been in the UK in the last 14 days, announced Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio, who said the decision had been communicated to the London authorities.

"As a government we have a duty to protect the Italians and for that reason, after having warned the British government, we are about to sign a measure with the Minister of Health to suspend flights with Britain," the Italian head of diplomacy noted.

The Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, signed shortly afterwards the ordinance suspending flights and banning entry into Italy of those who have been in the UK in the last two weeks.

Those who have been in the UK and are already in Italy will also have to undergo a coronavirus test. Speranza said that the new strain discovered in London was "worrying" so, pending the opinion of the scientists, the Italian government is opting for "maximum caution".

According to the media in Dublin, these three countries on the continent will be joined by Ireland, whose government will also impose restrictions on flights and ferries from the United Kingdom this Sunday.

The restrictions will come into force at midnight next week and will last for 48 hours, although the Government of the Republic of Ireland expects to make a formal announcement tonight.

Other countries, such as Portugal, have announced that they will not, at least for the time being, suspend flights to the British Isles, while the Spanish government called on the EU for a coordinated EU response on banning air traffic with the UK.

After learning of the announcement by several countries to suspend their flights, Spain asked the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the Council, Charles Michel, for a "coordinated Community response to this new situation". Sources from the Spanish government said that the aim is to protect the rights of EU citizens "through coordination, avoiding unilateralism".