The federal government has reintroduced crimson listing restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia with instant impact.
The transfer is available in response to the invention of a brand new variant of Covid-19.
Variant B.1.1.529 has been declared a “variant below investigation” by the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA).
Officers mentioned the variant contains a lot of spike protein mutations in addition to mutations in different elements of the viral genome.
These are “probably biologically vital mutations which can change the behaviour of the virus on the subject of vaccines, remedies and transmissibility”.
Extra investigation is required, the federal government mentioned in a press release.
On account of the choice, British and Irish residents, or these with residence rights, arriving to England from international locations on the crimson listing should e book a managed quarantine lodge prematurely.
The bundle will embrace a managed quarantine lodge, quarantine transport and a take a look at bundle for Covid-19 on day two and day two of quarantine.
From noon, non-UK and Irish residents who’ve been in these international locations within the earlier ten days might be refused entry.
This doesn’t apply to those that have stayed airside and solely transited by any of those international locations whereas altering flights.
A brief ban on industrial and personal planes travelling from the six international locations may even come into power at noon on Friday till early on Sunday.
No circumstances of the brand new variant have been recognized within the UK thus far.
Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, mentioned: “We’ve at all times maintained public security is our primary precedence, which is why we’ve stored in place measures which permit us to guard the UK from new variants.
“We’re taking this early precautionary motion now to guard the progress made throughout the nation, and can proceed to maintain a detailed eye on the state of affairs as we proceed into the winter.”
Commenting on the information, Rory Boland, Which? Journey editor, mentioned the state of affairs remained fluid.
He added: “This worrying information is a reminder that journey isn’t again to regular.
“The pandemic continues to disrupt passengers’ journey plans, typically with little or no discover.
“As all flights are being suspended to those international locations, all passengers might be entitled to a full refund for the vacation or flight, as long as they booked with a UK or EU provider, or with any provider because of depart from the UK or EU.
“Getting a refund for lodging will be harder, and depends on the coverage of the property.
“We’ve got seen restrictions change in a number of international locations over latest days and refunds are usually not at all times assured.
“It’s vital that travellers select vacation suppliers with good, versatile reserving insurance policies in case your journey can’t go forward.”
