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Summary
- New strain might spread faster, as a consequence several places in the U.K. are under severe restrictions.
- Several countries banned flights arriving from the U.K. following the news of new variant of the disease.
- NZ Epidemiologist claimed the new strain could reach New Zealand in a matter of weeks.
With COVID-19 creating havoc in 2020, people were looking ahead to find some respite from it in the upcoming period. However, with new variation of the virus being found in the United Kingdom, it seems to be far-fetched.
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By affecting more than 77, 718k million lives globally, the pandemic has developed a new strain in the U.K. bringing about new set of travel restrictions and guidelines for distancing and quarantine, in order to help bring things under control.
Apart from the UK, the new strain is being found in other countries as well.
How is this variant of the disease different?
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the U.K. said there is reason to believe that this strain of the virus may be at least 70% more infectious, however there’s still uncertainty surrounding it.
Without proper measures for control, it would spread faster and result in fuller hospitals and more deaths, resultantly.
The discovery of the new strain is recent and with no evidence on whether it is indeed a deadlier form of the disease. It needs to be monitored more closely in the near future.
Lockdown in parts of UK
The new variant is being accused for a much speedier dissemination of COVID-19 in London, the southeast and eastern England, which was put under stricter restrictions during Christmas holiday.
With the imposition of a 4th tier lockdown in Southern England, non-essential shops shall remain closed and one could be outside of their house only if absolutely necessary.
It is still to be seen if other countries follow suite on the lockdown and quarantine.
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Situation in New Zealand
5 new cases of the virus had been reported in the country on 21 December that are currently being managed in isolation.
The Ministry of Health stated that an array of changes to borders orders would come had been effective since 21 December, which would solidify NZ’s frontline protection against coronavirus.
There will be amendments made in the border orders soon too, to ensure that New Zealand is safeguarded against the virus.
Michael Baker, NZ epidemiologist is of the view that currently, the new strain could pose a threat only if it came to the country from a traveller, as New Zealand, currently has no cases of the same.
NZ Government’s plan of action
With hopes of continuing the winning streak against the virus, NZ government officials hope to act swiftly. Even through the holiday, the Ministry plans to give out periodic updates and reports about the progression of the virus in the country.
Previously, Prime Minister Arden’s quick response and judicious planning had led to the eradication of COVID-19 from the country and was duly recognised and appreciated all over the world.