Saudi Arabia Halts All International Flights for a Week Amid Fear of COVID-19 Virus Mutant
4 years ago

Saudi Arabia Halts All International Flights for a Week Amid Fear of COVID-19 Virus Mutant

News 18  

Saudi Arabia has halted all international flights for a week amid fears over a highly infectious new mutant strain of the novel coronavirus which has been discovered in Britain, an Interior Ministry source has confirmed. Saudi Arabia’s decision came after several European nations, including Italy, Belgium, France and the Netehrlands, have banned flights to and fro from the UK after report of the mutant strain, which has quickly spread cross London and the southeast of England. On December 19, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced that the newly identified strain of the virus may be up to 70 per cent more transmissible. By the week ending December 9, the new variant accounted for 62 per cent in London, 59 per cent in eastern England, and 43 per cent in the South East.

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History of this topic

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. But in 2020, amid the lockdowns sparked by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drastically curtailed the hajj with as as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia …

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Islam's annual hajj pilgrimage in …

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-Covid numbers
2 years ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-Covid numbers

India Today  

Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. But in 2020, amid the lockdowns sparked by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drastically curtailed the hajj with as as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia permitted to take part. Saudi …

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?
3 years, 1 month ago

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?

Live Mint  

A new coronavirus variant identified in southern Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease. But the World Health Organization has called it a “variant of concern” and governments around the world are not waiting for scientists to better understand the variant to impose flight bans and other travel restrictions. …

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?
3 years, 1 month ago

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?

Associated Press  

A new coronavirus variant identified in southern Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease. But the World Health Organization has called it a “variant of concern” and governments around the world are not waiting for scientists to better understand the variant to impose flight bans and other travel restrictions. …

Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South Africa
3 years, 1 month ago

Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South Africa

Live Mint  

Britain on Thursday said it was concerned by a newly identified coronavirus variant spreading in South Africa that might make vaccines less effective and imperil efforts to fight the pandemic. The UK Health Security Agency said the variant, which is called B.1.1.529, has a spike protein that was dramatically different to the one in the original coronavirus that COVID-19 vaccines …

Morocco bans British visitors due to soaring Covid rates
3 years, 2 months ago

Morocco bans British visitors due to soaring Covid rates

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Foreign Office is telling travellers: “The Moroccan government has announced the suspension for an unspecified period of direct flights …

Saudi Arabia to reopen to vaccinated tourists after 17-month Covid lockdown
3 years, 5 months ago

Saudi Arabia to reopen to vaccinated tourists after 17-month Covid lockdown

India Today  

Saudi Arabia announced Friday it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists after a 17-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state news agency said. It said travellers fully vaccinated with Saudi-approved jabs -- Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson -- will be able to enter the kingdom "without the need for an institutional quarantine period", …

Saudi Arabia threatens 3-year travel ban for citizens who visit 'red list' countries, including India
3 years, 5 months ago

Saudi Arabia threatens 3-year travel ban for citizens who visit 'red list' countries, including India

India Today  

Saudi Arabia will impose a three-year travel ban on citizens travelling to countries on the kingdom's 'red list' in efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus and its new variants, state news agency SPA said on Tuesday. It cited an unnamed interior ministry official as saying some Saudi citizens, who in May were allowed to travel abroad without prior permission …

COVID-19: Oman suspends flights from 24 countries including India, Pakistan and Singapore
3 years, 6 months ago

COVID-19: Oman suspends flights from 24 countries including India, Pakistan and Singapore

Firstpost  

The flights have been suspended until further notice and the decision was taken as part of the country’s measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic Dubai: Oman on Thursday indefinitely suspended passengers flights from 24 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as part of the Gulf nation’s efforts to arrest the spread of the coronavirus. The flights have been suspended until …

Saudi Arabia suspends UAE flights due to virus variant
3 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia suspends UAE flights due to virus variant

Al Jazeera  

Flights to and from Ethiopia and Vietnam also banned without prior permission from authorities. Saudi Arabia has said it is suspending flights to the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Vietnam to protect against a coronavirus variant. The move announced on Saturday came seven weeks after the kingdom permitted fully immunised citizens to travel abroad following a ban on foreign trips …

Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom
3 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom

India TV News  

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry making the announcement. “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every …

Saudi Arabia bars foreigners from hajj due to COVID, allows only 60,000 pilgrims from kingdom
3 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia bars foreigners from hajj due to COVID, allows only 60,000 pilgrims from kingdom

Firstpost  

Saudi Arabia said this year’s hajj, which will begin in mid-July, will also be limited to those ages 18 to 65, and vaccination is compulsory Dubai: Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A statement on the …

Saudi Arabia eases travel ban for vaccinated citizens
3 years, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia eases travel ban for vaccinated citizens

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Vaccinated Saudis will be allowed …

Saudi Arabia Considers Barring Overseas Haj Pilgrims for Second Year Amid Covid Outbreak: Sources
3 years, 8 months ago

Saudi Arabia Considers Barring Overseas Haj Pilgrims for Second Year Amid Covid Outbreak: Sources

News 18  

Saudi Arabia is considering barring overseas pilgrims from the annual haj for the second year running as COVID-19 cases rise globally and worries grow about the emergence of new variants, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Before the pandemic enforced social distancing globally, some 2.5 million pilgrims used to visit the holiest sites of Islam in Mecca …

Saudi Arabia suspends flights from 20 nations, including India, over Covid-19 spike
3 years, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia suspends flights from 20 nations, including India, over Covid-19 spike

India Today  

Saudi Arabia has suspended flights from 20 nations, including India and the United States, in a bid to curb the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country. According to a report by news agency AFP, the Saudi Arabia interior ministry has announced that international flights from 20 nations have been suspended from Wednesday as the nation saw a fresh …

Airports could close after decision to suspend all of Britain's quarantine-free travel corridors
3 years, 11 months ago

Airports could close after decision to suspend all of Britain's quarantine-free travel corridors

Daily Mail  

All flights from South America, Portugal and Cape Verde have been banned Anyone arriving in the UK will have to produce a negative coronavirus test Beleaguered airports face being mothballed after Boris Johnson suspended all of Britain’s quarantine-free travel corridors from tomorrow. Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured during a media briefing on coronavirus in Downing Street, London, on January 15 …

Majority people want suspension of flights from countries with new virus strain: Survey
4 years ago

Majority people want suspension of flights from countries with new virus strain: Survey

Hindustan Times  

As India resumes flights to the UK from Friday, though in a restricted manner, after keeping them suspended for about a fortnight in the wake of detection of new variant of coronavirus, a majority of people want flights banned from the countries having cases with new variants, according to a survey. As per the survey, as many as 64 per …

India detects 9 more cases of new mutated Covid-19 strain, total reaches 38
4 years ago

India detects 9 more cases of new mutated Covid-19 strain, total reaches 38

India Today  

The number of people infected by the new mutated strain of Covid-19 in India has now reached 38. Of the 38 cases of the mutant strain, 10 have been detected at NIMHANS Bengaluru, three at CCMB Hyderabad, five at NIV Pune, 11 at IGIB Delhi, eight at in NCDC Delhi and one at NCBG Kolkata. The ministry had said it …

Coronavirus updates | January 1, 2021
4 years ago

Coronavirus updates | January 1, 2021

The Hindu  

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness at session sites and noted that the objective of the dry run for COVID-19 vaccine introduction is to assess operational feasibility in the use of Co-WIN application in field environment, to test the linkages between planning and implementation and to identify the challenges and guide. …

India extends suspension of UK flights till January 7 amid worries over new coronavirus strain
4 years ago

India extends suspension of UK flights till January 7 amid worries over new coronavirus strain

India Today  

India will be extending the suspension of flights from the United Kingdom till January 7 amid concerns over the new coronavirus strain that spreads 70% faster and has also been found in India. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday, “Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK till 7 …

US requires tests for UK flyers on worry over Covid variant
4 years ago

US requires tests for UK flyers on worry over Covid variant

Hindustan Times  

-- The US will require passengers flying from the UK to show proof of a negative test for coronavirus, amid rising concerns over a more-contagious Covid-19 strain that is spreading after first emerging in England. A new virus variant that was detected in the UK has a mutation occurring at a site common with the South African strain, known as …

South Africa rejects UK claims over new coronavirus variant
4 years ago

South Africa rejects UK claims over new coronavirus variant

Hindustan Times  

South Africa’s government rejected allegations that a new variant of the coronavirus found in the country has contributed to a second wave of infections in the UK and criticized its decision to impose travel restrictions. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that flights from South Africa will be banned and that anyone who’s been there in the past two weeks …

Canada Extends Ban on UK Flights Till January 6 as New Covid-19 Strain Poses Global Concern
4 years ago

Canada Extends Ban on UK Flights Till January 6 as New Covid-19 Strain Poses Global Concern

News 18  

Canada Announces Ban on UK Flights Till January 6 as New Covid-19 Strain Poses Global ConcernCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that his government will extend the ban on passenger flights from the UK until January 6 in the wake of the discovery of two new coronavirus strains in Britain. “Today I can announce that we will extend this …

These countries have restricted travel from the United Kingdom amid new COVID-19 strain
4 years ago

These countries have restricted travel from the United Kingdom amid new COVID-19 strain

ABC  

More than 40 countries have suspended travel with the United Kingdom as health officials announced a new coronavirus strain identified in the region was "out of control". As countries across Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East shut their borders with the UK, British authorities imposed stricter COVID-19 restrictions around London and south-eastern England. Germany: Germany reportedly …

Iraq bans air travel with eight nations over new variant of virus
4 years ago

Iraq bans air travel with eight nations over new variant of virus

Hindustan Times  

Iraq is banning air travel to or from eight countries to guard against the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus, and is ordering public venues like shopping malls and restaurants to close, a cabinet statement said on Tuesday. The two-week travel prohibition covers Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, Iran, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands. The two-week travel prohibition …

Photos: Countries enforce UK travel restrictions over coronavirus strain
4 years ago

Photos: Countries enforce UK travel restrictions over coronavirus strain

Hindustan Times  

Photos: Countries enforce UK travel restrictions over coronavirus strain India on December 21 joined a growing number of countries around the world in suspending travel to the United Kingdom in the wake of the emergence of a mutated variant of the coronavirus there. The World Health Organization tweeted late on December 19 that it was “in close contact with UK …

UK passenger tests coronavirus positive in Chennai; sample to be checked for new strain
4 years ago

UK passenger tests coronavirus positive in Chennai; sample to be checked for new strain

India Today  

A passenger who returned from the United Kingdom via Delhi to Chennai has tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. India has banned all flights from UK India has banned all flights from the United Kingdom after the discovery of a new and more infectious coronavirus strain spreading in the country. A new strain of the coronavirus has emerged in the …

More countries close borders to the UK as new coronavirus strain breeds panic
4 years ago

More countries close borders to the UK as new coronavirus strain breeds panic

ABC  

Trucks waiting to get out of Britain backed up for kilometres and people were stranded at airports, as more countries slapped tough travel restrictions on the United Kingdom over concerns of a new coronavirus strain. Key points: Several European nations, along with India, Canada and Hong Kong, have banned travel from the UK Several European nations, along with India, Canada …

Britain hit with travel bans over new coronavirus strain
4 years ago

Britain hit with travel bans over new coronavirus strain

Live Mint  

LONDON: Trucks waiting to get out of Britain backed up for miles and people were left stranded at airports Monday as dozens of countries around the world slapped tough travel restrictions on the U.K. because of a new and seemingly more contagious strain of the coronavirus in England. Over the weekend, Johnson imposed strict lockdown measures in London and neighboring …

Covid-19: What you need to know today
4 years ago

Covid-19: What you need to know today

Hindustan Times  

The big news of Monday was the big news of Sunday, which was the big news of Saturday – the new strain of the coronavirus in the UK. One, which I wrote about in yesterday’s dispatch, Mutation N501Y, effects a change in the spike protein of the virus, possibly making it bind better with human cells; another, also in the …

Boris Johnson to chair crisis meet as countries block flights from UK over new highly infectious coronavirus strain
4 years ago

Boris Johnson to chair crisis meet as countries block flights from UK over new highly infectious coronavirus strain

Firstpost  

Scientists first discovered the new variant, which they believe is 70 percent more transmissible, in a patient in September. Public Health England notified the government on Friday when modelling revealed its full seriousness London: Prime Minister Boris Johnson was to chair a crisis meeting Monday as a growing number of countries blocked flights from Britain over a new highly infectious …

New coronavirus strain | Centre halts flights to and from U.K. till Dec. 31
4 years ago

New coronavirus strain | Centre halts flights to and from U.K. till Dec. 31

The Hindu  

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on December 21 announced its decision to ban all flights to the U.K. from December 22 midnight until December 31 in an effort to keep out a new highly infectious coronavirus strain that is rapidly spreading in England. Consequently flights from India to U.K. shall stand temporarily suspended during above said period,” the Ministry posted …

Countries that have blocked travel from UK over new coronavirus strain
4 years ago

Countries that have blocked travel from UK over new coronavirus strain

Live Mint  

Countries around the world have begun banning flights and travellers from Britain as London said Sunday the spread of a more-infectious new coronavirus strain was now "out of control". Prime Minister Jean Castex's office said the 48-hour period would offer time to coordinate a joint EU response that would ultimately allow travel from the UK to resume "with compulsory testing …

France, Germany and Several Other EU Nations Halt Flights to UK Fearing Mutated COVID-19 Virus
4 years ago

France, Germany and Several Other EU Nations Halt Flights to UK Fearing Mutated COVID-19 Virus

News 18  

Several European Union nations moved to banned flights from the UK on Sunday and others were considering similar action, in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from establishing a strong foothold on the continent. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Italy all announced restrictions on UK travel, hours after British Prime Minister …

New covid strain: Britain hit by virus travel bans
4 years ago

New covid strain: Britain hit by virus travel bans

Live Mint  

Countries worldwide banned arrivals from the UK on Sunday over a new highly infectious coronavirus strain Britain said was "out of control", as the WHO called for stronger containment measures. Late Sunday, Britain's critical south coast port at Dover said it was closing to all accompanied freight and passengers due to the French border restrictions "until further notice". Alarm bells …

New covid strain: Canada suspends flights from UK for 72 hours
4 years ago

New covid strain: Canada suspends flights from UK for 72 hours

Live Mint  

The Canadian government on Sunday announced the decision to suspend flights from the United Kingdom amid a genetic variant of the coronavirus which was identified in the UK. "The Government of Canada is closely monitoring the genetic variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 identified in the United Kingdom and is working with international partners, including the World Health Organization, …

Coronavirus live updates: Centre halts flights to and from U.K. till December 31
4 years ago

Coronavirus live updates: Centre halts flights to and from U.K. till December 31

The Hindu  

As more nations impose restrictions on travel to the United Kingdom, the Union Health Ministry has called an urgent meeting of its Joint Monitoring Group on Monday to discuss the emergence of a mutated variant of the coronavirus in the UK, which has led to a surge in the infection rate there. New Delhi No need to panic on new …

New Covid variant 'out of control' in UK: More countries ban flights, trains and ferries from Britain
4 years ago

New Covid variant 'out of control' in UK: More countries ban flights, trains and ferries from Britain

India TV News  

A growing list of European Union nations and Canada barred travel from the U.K. on Sunday and others were considering similar action, in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from spreading to the continent. 'New variant out of control' On Sunday, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock added to the alarm when he said …

Canada halts flights to UK after surge in newly mutated coronavirus variant
4 years ago

Canada halts flights to UK after surge in newly mutated coronavirus variant

India Today  

Canada has stopped all the commercial passengers and private flights to the United Kingdom as the country has reported a surge in the new strain of the novel coronavirus. The United Kingdom’s European neighbours began closing their doors to travellers from the United Kingdom on Sunday, and others were considering similar action, amid alarm about a rapidly spreading strain of …

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urges Centre to ban flights from UK after surge in newly mutated coronavirus
4 years ago

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urges Centre to ban flights from UK after surge in newly mutated coronavirus

India Today  

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged the Centre to ban all flights from the UK after a new strain of coronavirus emerged in the country. — Arvind Kejriwal December 21, 2020 Canada has stopped all the commercial passengers and private flights to the United Kingdom as the country has reported a surge in the new strain of the …

Several European Union nations move to halt UK flights over new COVID-19 variant
4 years ago

Several European Union nations move to halt UK flights over new COVID-19 variant

ABC  

Several European Union nations have moved to ban flights from the UK in a bid to stop a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from establishing a strong foothold on the continent. Key points: The nations have each announced different travel bans of varying lengths The nations have each announced different travel bans of varying lengths An EU …

Which countries have banned UK travel over COVID concerns?
4 years ago

Which countries have banned UK travel over COVID concerns?

Al Jazeera  

At least 27 countries ban flights and travellers from the UK after the detection of a new coronavirus strain in England. Several countries have banned or will ban flights and travellers from the UK after the British government said on Sunday that the spread of a more-infectious new strain of the coronavirus was now “out of control”. Ireland has banned …

New variant makes Covid-19 ‘out of control’ in UK, flights banned
4 years ago

New variant makes Covid-19 ‘out of control’ in UK, flights banned

Hindustan Times  

Britain’s health secretary Matt Hancock on Sunday admitted that the coronavirus is out of control, hours after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a lockdown on London and southeast England, sparking fury by cancelling Christmas at short notice and some countries imposing flight bans. Asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show whether the coronavirus is under control, Hancock said, “No, …

Several European nations halt UK flights over new COVID strain
4 years ago

Several European nations halt UK flights over new COVID strain

Al Jazeera  

Countries place new restrictions on travel to and from the UK due to concern over a new strain of coronavirus spreading rapidly. Several European countries have banned flights to and from the United Kingdom and others were considering such action, all in hopes of blocking a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from establishing a strong foothold on …

UK's more infectious Covid strain 'out of control', countries ban flights | All you need to know
4 years ago

UK's more infectious Covid strain 'out of control', countries ban flights | All you need to know

India Today  

A new strain of coronavirus is 'out of control' in the United Kingdom, its Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned suggesting that parts of England will be stuck in the new higher tier of Covid-19 restrictions until a vaccine is rolled out. New Covid-19 strain more infectious, but vaccines should still work, says UK UK PM Boris Johnson has said …

Netherlands bans UK flights for 10 days over coronavirus mutation
4 years ago

Netherlands bans UK flights for 10 days over coronavirus mutation

NL Times  

A new mutated strain of the coronavirus discovered in the United Kingdom has also been identified in the Netherlands. The ban follows a recommendation from the Dutch Public Health Agency RIVM, which states that travel from the United Kingdom should be limited to the minimum. An official statement read that “in the coming days, the government will, in close cooperation …

Britain’s isolation grows as more nations ban travel due to coronavirus variant
4 years ago

Britain’s isolation grows as more nations ban travel due to coronavirus variant

LA Times  

More nations are banning travel from Britain over fears of a new strain of the coronavirus that scientists say looks to be more contagious. France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Poland and Bulgaria had already announced restrictions on U.K. travel hours after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Christmas shopping and gatherings in southern England must be …

Saudi Arabia announces three-phase roll out of Covid-19 vaccine
4 years ago

Saudi Arabia announces three-phase roll out of Covid-19 vaccine

Live Mint  

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced a three-phase Covid-19 vaccination programme, as it began registering citizens and foreign residents after approving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The ministry opened registration for the vaccination campaign through an online application called "Sehaty", and said the vaccine would be "free for all citizens and residents". Last week, the kingdom approved the use of the vaccine developed …

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