What is known about the mutation of coronavirus, due to which the UK was isolated from the world

Already almost 30 countries, including Russia, limited the air traffic with the UK due to the spread of a new mutation of coronavirus. Primary studies have shown that the new Covid-19 strain can spread 70% faster. However, according to the World Health Organization, there is no reason to say that a new mutation is more dangerous for a person than that coronavirus with whom humanity has been fighting for almost a year.

What is known about the new Covid-19 strain?

The new type of Covid-19-the VUI-202012/01 mutation-was identified last week in the UK. According to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, doctors “have no evidence” that infection with a new mutation turns into more severe symptoms of the disease, but, according to primary data, the virus can spread 70% faster.

The British public health service said that the new strain has been actively spreading in the UK since mid -November, but could appear in the country back in September. In London, there are at least 60% of new cases of infection on a new type of virus.

The service emphasized: there is no reason to believe that the vaccine will not help from the new coronavirus strain, they think the same thing in WHO. “The viruses are modified, and there is nothing surprising in what is happening now. In order to find out exactly whether the impact of the virus on a person changes, we need additional laboratory research, ”said the director of the Pandemius Department and Silvi Brian, adding that the new strain of the virus does not affect indicators of mortality.

After identifying the new mutation of the virus, the Great Britain government announced the tightening of coronavirus restrictions: individual regions of England, including London, in which the “third level” quarantine has already been introduced, switch to the “fourth level” in accordance with the previously introduced system, all enterprises that do not carry vital functions are closed. After the reports of the hard Locdown, the inhabitants of London began to pass the city massively.

More and more countries limit air traffic

The last restrictions were introduced by Denmark, which closed the airspace for aircraft from the UK for 48 hours, as well as Portugal, Poland, Hong Kong and Norway.

Saudi Arabia distinguished itself: it completely suspended international air traffic, closed land borders and seaports for a week "until information about the nature of this virus is clear."

Earlier, the reception of flights from the UK was also limited in Austria, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Italy, Israel, Canada, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Kuwait, Turkey and Colombia. Aviation with Britain was completely suspended in Latvia, Estonia, Switzerland, Finland, Bulgaria, Morocco and Argentina.

As the German media reported, passengers who arrived from the UK to Germany were blocked in airport buildings - in particular, a group of 63 people who flew to Hanover was forced to spend all night at the airport, waiting for the results of tests for coronavirus.

Attracted the ban on flights and Russia.

The new type of Covid-19 was recorded in six countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already discovered a new type of COVID-19 not only in the UK, where a mutagenic strain was first recorded, but also in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia. Later, a new mutation was found in South Africa and Italy. As the Italian Ministry of Health stated, before arriving in the country, an infected person was in Britain. In addition, the Minister of Health of France Olivier Veran did not rule out the spread of the new mutated form of the Covid-19 in the republic, however, according to him, the new coronavirus strain has not yet been revealed in France.

In this regard, some countries decided to suspend air traffic not only with Great Britain, but also with other countries: Israel suspended a message with Denmark and South Africa, Turkey with Denmark, the Netherlands and South Africa, Switzerland with South Africa.

Some countries, such as Greece and Spain, have not yet decided to close the air traffic with Great Britain, however, in connection with the new Covid-19 mutation, they tightened quarantine measures. Since December 22, the Malta authorities introduced a mandatory two -week quarantine for air passengers from the UK.

The Kremlin "track information"

Initially, the Russian authorities did not talk about the suspension of air traffic with Great Britain. However, on the second day after Johnson announced a new mutation, a message appeared on the government’s website that Russia still suspend flights between Moscow and London: restrictions are going into force from midnight on December 22 and will act within a week.

“The situation with the advent of a new coronavirus strain in the UK is carefully studied by the operational headquarters. Based on the results of its consideration, further decisions will be made, ”the report said. It is noted that Rospotrebnadzor monitors "genetic changes in the new coronavirus in Russia and in the world."

Before this message appeared, the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov, however, did not answer the question of whether the possibility of closing the air traffic with the UK is discussed, assuring that such decisions should make the Government headquarters. Peskov added that the Kremlin “with the greatest attention” is observed, monitoring the information that comes from scientists from the UK on this topic.