A number of European countries, namely Belgium and Netherlands, have banned travel from the UK to prevent the spread of a more infectious variant of coronavirus.

Trains to Belgium have also been banned since the new variant concerning a surge in Covid-19 cases has spread fast in London and south-East England.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, introduced a new tier four level of restrictions on Saturday, scrapping a planned relaxation of rules over the Christmas period for millions of people.

Italy’s foreign minister has indicated his government plans to ban flights.

France and Germany are reportedly planning similar action.