Picture used for illustrative purpose. File

Gulf Today Report

The Netherlands banned flights from the UK on Sunday to curb the spread of the new coronavirus strain sweeping England.

The government said the ban was a reaction to restrictions imposed in London and other areas.

The Netherlands is working towards assessing "with other European Union nations the possibilities to contain the import of the virus from the United Kingdom." 

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 Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in London and southern England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new variant is 70% more transmissible.

"There’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness or that vaccines will be less effective against it,” he added. 

 The Dutch government advised its residents to avoid unnecessary travel.