AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Summary
- A new COVID-19 strain has been found in the UK, which is about 70% more transmissible.
- Flights to and from the UK are being suspended amid worries about the new variant while tight restrictions are being imposed in the UK.
- ACT and National have called upon NZ government to take some stricter measures amid the Christmas season.
There have been increasing worries about a new strain of coronavirus in the UK, which is believed to be about 70% more transferrable.
The strain is suspected of having either occurred in a patient in the UK or has been introduced from a country with a poorer capacity to monitor mutations in coronavirus.
NZ Government has urged to take measures quickly to continue to emerge the winner in the battle against COVID-19. NZ has reported 7 new cases in the past 48 hours as of 24 December.
Source: Shutterstock
The rapid spread of the virus has forced the UK to impose Tier-4 restrictions in London and the large parts of South-east England. Millions of people are affected by the travel ban of over 40 countries on the UK.
The new variant of COVID-19
A new SARS-CoV-2 variant has been found in the UK in cases which have been linked to South Africa. The new variant was revealed to be the reason behind the surge in cases in East and South England.
DO READ: New Covid strain: UK economy to slow down further
On 14 December, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated that the UK had found out that the new variant might be linked to the quicker transmission in South England in the last few days. UK has also notified the WHO on the same.
He stated that the new variant was more transmissible and had appeared to mutate further than the new variant found in the UK.
ACT and National concerned on NZ government actions
The ACT leader stated that a risk-weighted strategy was needed to manage all the UK arrivals in NZ to curb any other major COVID-19 outbreak. Several countries are engaging in risk mitigation strategies, but in NZ, all arrivals are still grouped, paying no heed to the country they have come from, he added.
The ACT leader has proposed a risk-weighted approach.
ALSO READ: Fresh strain of virus cases in the UK leaves New Zealand worried
Market reports have also stated that the National Party was also concerned about the new UK variant and the NZ government's action to protect the country.
National noted that people would have been concerned about the border security on days just before Christmas and the day itself as several of them would come into the country for the holiday.
The NZ government has been called upon to respond to the new UK strain by introducing pre-departure testing procedures for all the UK arrivals.
