Britain’s Transport Minister said he had ordered flights and arrivals from South Africa to be halted after a potentially more infectious variant of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 had spread to Britain.
“I’ve taken the decision to temporarily stop flights and arrivals entering England from South Africa from 9am tomorrow following an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.
Explainer: What is the new COVID-19 variant
![[File Image] Police tape cordons a crime scene.](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/SABC-News-crime-scene-AFP.png)
![[File Image] Former president Jacob Zuma sits in the dock after recess in his corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg.](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SABC-News-Jacob-Zuma-Reuters-120x86.jpg)
![[File Image] : Tazuni the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 official mascot, makes a first Australian appearance alongside junior players to celebrate the FIFA Volunteer Programme launch in Melbourne](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/E75VZXEAQRIRFGR4E7OLM4OUAE-120x86.jpg)
