The Belgian authorities have announced that all flights to or from the United Kingdom will be suspended for at least 24 hours in response to the detection of a new, more contagious form of coronavirus with a particular incidence in London and the south-east of England. The Netherlands has also suspended flights and France is seriously considering doing the same.
The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, has explained in statements to the VRT chain that Eurostar train journeys are also being suspended despite the fact that the new strain is still being studied. “We don’t have a conclusive answer,” admits De Croo.
The Belgian president has also announced preventive roadside checks and travelers from the UK will be closely monitored to ensure they are complying with quarantine regulations. “We will inform all newcomers very clearly about what is expected of them,” said De Croo.
Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge previously announced the suspension of British communication with the Netherlands. “An infectious mutation of the COVID-19 (sic) virus is circulating in the UK. It is believed to spread more easily, quickly and be more difficult to detect,” he explains.
In response to the spike of infections, the UK has declared the confinement of London and the south-east of the country designated as level 4 areas, forcing residents to stay in their homes with limited exceptions, and not closing leisure facilities and services -essential and imposes homework except in unattractive circumstances.
While the agreed initial duration is in principle two weeks, these restrictions will be reviewed on December 30, the day the UK government will decide on a possible extension to save as much as possible the last week of Christmas.