Iran suspends UK flights over new COVID-19 variant concerns

Iran has halted flights to the UK for two weeks to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus strain, a deputy minister said.

According to Tasnim news agency, the Iranian deputy minister of Roads and Urban Development said that the Health Ministry has issued an order to halt flights from the UK for two weeks following the discovery of a new variant of COVID-19, which British officials say spreads faster than others.

The new coronavirus variant, which prompted the UK government to impose a Tier 4 lockdown in London and southeastern England, and tighten restrictions for all of England over the festive period, is “out of control,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday.

The UK broke its daily coronavirus case record on Sunday, recording 35,928 new cases.

The new wave of travel bans has cut off UK travelers from much of Europe and other parts of the world.

ME