Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair an emergency response meeting on Monday to discuss international travel, in particular the flow of freight in and out of Britain, a spokeswoman for his office said on Sunday.
Britain’s European neighbours began closing their doors to travellers from the United Kingdom on Sunday amid alarm about a rapidly spreading strain of coronavirus that has caused cases to soar there. The travel restrictions come at a difficult time for many British companies, which are engaged in last-minute stockpiling before 31st December, when a status quo transition period with the European Union ends and new customs rules come into effect.
Travellers wearing protective face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reclaim their luggage at the airport in Denver, Colorado, US, on 24th November. PICTURE: Reuters/Kevin Mohatt/File photo.
UK analysis suggests this new variant may be up to 70 per cent more transmissible, which could increase the reproduction “R” rate by 0.4. The new variant contains 23 different changes, including in areas of the virus that are known to be associated with how the virus binds to and enters cells.
Meanwhile in the US, congressional leaders reached agreement on Sunday on a $US900 billion package to provide the first new aid in months to an economy and individuals battered by the surging coronavirus pandemic, with votes likely on Monday.
The package would be the second-largest economic stimulus in US history, following a $US2.3 trillion aid bill passed in March. It comes as the pandemic accelerates, infecting more than 214,000 people in the country each day. More than 317,000 Americans have already died.
The package would give $US600 direct payments to individuals and boost unemployment payments by $US300 a week. It also includes billions for small businesses, food assistance, vaccine distribution, transit and healthcare. It extends a moratorium on foreclosures and provides $US25 billion in rental aid.
