Russia has suspended flights with Great Britain, the COVID-19 operational staff said.
The restriction due to the worsening epidemiological situation takes effect from midnight on December 22. It will remain in force for a week.
The previous day, the British Ministry of Health stated that the new SARS-CoV-2 strain of coronavirus that was detected in the United Kingdom in the middle of December is spreading faster than usual and, according to preliminary estimates, is 71% more contagious. The WHO said that this mutation was also found in the Netherlands and Australia. At the same time, there is no evidence yet of the impact of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant on mortality and morbidity.
"The situation with the emergence of the new strain of coronavirus in the UK is being carefully studied by the operational headquarters. Further decisions will be made based on the results of its review," the Russian operational headquarters added.
More than 30 countries have already suspended or limited transport links with the UK. Some states, including Greece and Cyprus, have imposed mandatory quarantine for all air passengers arriving from Britain.
Russian regions have organized regular sampling of COVID-19 patients; all samples are sent to a reference center for monitoring by Rospotrebnadzor.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti