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Countries across the world ban flights from UK due to fast-spreading new COVID-19 strain

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A number of countries — including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Israel — have announced that they will ban flights from the UK due to fears over a new variant of the coronavirus, which could be 70% more infectious.

The moves come after the Dutch government confirmed at least one case of the same mutation that has prompted parts of Britain to return to lockdown rules.

The country’s health ministry said the case in Holland had been identified at the beginning of December and is being investigated. It said that the air travel ban from 5am (GMT) on Sunday 20 December will likely stay in place until at least 1 January.

“An infectious mutation of the COVID-19 virus is circulating in the United Kingdom. It is said to spread more easily and faster and is more difficult to detect,” the Dutch health ministry said in a statement.

The UK recorded a further 35,928 of coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period. Another 326 deaths have been announced within 28 days of a positive test.

Here’s a breakdown of the countries that have made a judgement on the new strain in the UK so far:

Germany

Europe’s biggest economy has announced it will restrict travel between Germany and the UK from midnight on Sunday 20 December. It has also banned travellers from South Africa, after the two countries reported identifying a new coronavirus strain.

A regulation is being drawn up and the federal government is in contact with European partners, a spokesperson for the German government said.

Belgium

Similar measures have been announced by Belgium, which has suspended flights. Trains to Belgium have also been banned.

Italy

Italy’s foreign minister Luigi Di Maio, said that the country’s government had decided to act after Britain “raised the alarm”over a new form of COVID-19 strain.

He said that the government has a “responsibility to protect Italians” and as such “after having warned the British government, the health ministry will sign a provision for the suspension of flights with the UK.”

Austria

Austria joined the raft of countries and said it would also halt flights from the UK, however, it had not confirmed the details on the timing of the ban at the time of publication.

Bulgaria

Following the lead of other countries, Bulgaria also announced it will suspend flights to and from the UK over the new variant of COVID-19.

France and Spain

Other EU countries such as France are also reportedly planning similar course.

Meanwhile Spain has said that it is liaising with the European Commission and the European Council for a coordinated response amid the new situation.

Israel

It is not just EU countries banning Britons, Israel has also banned all entry to all non-Israelis flying from the UK following the emergence of the new variation of COVID-19.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s civil aviation authority has added Britain to its high-risk list of countries following the outbreak of the new strain, meaning all flights from the UK are banned.

The Gulf state banned commercial flights to 31 countries which it deemed a high risk due to the spread of the virus, in August.

Scotland

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said there would be a strict travel ban from Scotland to the rest of the UK throughout the festive season.

Ireland

Ireland could follow the lead of several EU countries and also ban travellers from the UK amid the coronavirus mutation. Restrictions could possibly come into force from midnight on Sunday and remain in place for an initial period of 48 hours, before being subject to review.

Irish health secretary Stephen Donnelly will be making a statement on the coronavirus development in the UK. The measures could apply to both flights and ferries.

Czech Republic

The country has not yet announced a ban but it is imposing stricter quarantine measures for people arriving from the UK.

Watch: UK reports highest daily increase in cases as concerns grow over new virus strain

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned its European members on Sunday to increase measures to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.

It said that outside Britain, nine cases of the new strain have been reported in Denmark, as well as one case in the Netherlands and another in Australia.

The news comes the day after the prime minister and the Welsh and Scottish devolved governments put 18 million people across the UK under severe restrictions until end of 2020.
The hit on the airline industry

COVID-19 has brought the airline industry to its knees following global lockdowns and airline groundings, which saw passenger levels retract to record lows and profit losses steepen.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects a net loss of $118.5bn (£87.6bn) in 2020, a deeper recision of its $84.3bn forecast in June.

A net loss of $38.7bn is also expected in 2021, more than double the projected $15.8bn loss six months ago.

In line with the travel restrictions, Transport for London (TFL) has told travellers that they should not leave as the capital enters Tier 4 restrictions. TFL advised people to only travel for work, if they cannot work from home or for other legally permitted reasons.

“If you do need to travel, please walk or cycle where possible. To aid social distancing for those who do need to travel, we are continuing to run as full a service as possible on the public transport network,” TFL said. It is also running an “enhanced cleaning regime” to help keep everyone safe.

Tour operator TUI (TUI.AG) has cancelled all flights out of London Luton airport as it falls under the new Tier 4 measures. But TUI will “continue to operate out of Gatwick and Stansted which are located in tier two areas,” the company said.

The Dutch public health body, the RIVM, therefore “recommends that any introduction of this virus strain from the United Kingdom be limited as much as possible by limiting and/or controlling passenger movements.”

Currently, the Netherlands is under a five-week lockdown until mid-January with schools and all non-essential shops closed to slow a surge in the virus.

PM Mark Rutte has advised Dutch citizens not to travel unless strictly necessary.

“Over the next few days, together with other EU member states, (the government) will explore the scope for further limiting the risk of the new strain of the virus being brought over from the UK,” a government statement said.

A government statement said that Rutte’s cabinet is “closely monitoring” the developments of the COVID-19 virus abroad and is “investigating the possibilities for additional measures for other modes of transport.”

It added: “In the coming days, it will, in close collaboration with other EU member states, look into the possibilities of further restricting imports of the virus from the United Kingdom.”
What the restrictions look like

Similarly, the UK’s Foreign Office has advised against all but “essential travel” to the Netherlands.

“Travellers should consult their airline operator before travelling. This ban does not currently apply to car, ferry and train passengers, though the Dutch government are keeping this under review and advise against all but essential travel via these means,” the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said.

Additionally, all passengers arriving in the Netherlands are required to self-isolate for 10 days.

On Saturday, prime minister Boris Johnson announced stricter coronavirus measures in London, the South East and East of England amid concerns about the spread of a new strain of the virus which may be up to 70% more transmissible.

Johnson introduced a fourth tier of COVID-19 restrictions in the regions, as well as unveiling tighter plans around households gathering during Christmas.

The devolved governments of Wales and Scotland Wales also announced new measures on Saturday.

All of Wales will be placed into the highest level of lockdown (tier 4) with all non-essential shops closing.

Meanwhile, cross-border travel has been banned in Scotland. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon there would be a strict travel ban from Scotland to the rest of the UK throughout the festive season.

The WHO said it was in “close contact” with the UK about the new strain of the virus, with the international health body and Britain sharing information and analysis about the outbreak.

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the UK had informed WHO about the development after modelling showed a rapid spread in South East England.

During a press conference on Saturday, the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance said the new coronavirus strain is thought to have emerged in the UK in mid-September. By December, it was responsible for more than 60% of infections in London, Vallance said.

The Tier 4 restrictions mean that 18 million people in the UK will now be unable to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

For residents in tiers one, two and three, rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only. In tier four, people should not mix with anyone outside their own household, apart from support bubbles, the PM said.

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Despite Earlier Apprehensions, Senators Agree on Funding for Development Commissions

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Despite Senators’ division over new regional development commissions’ funding arrangement, Lawmakers in the Red Chamber on Thursday finally agreed on the source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions.

The arguments had unfolded as the Senate and House of Representatives moved forward with legislation to establish these commissions, which were also stripped of operational immunity for their boards and executives.

The disagreement emerged during the clause-by-clause consideration of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which serves as the structural template for other zonal commissions.
Central to the debate was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ recommendation that 15% of statutory allocations from member states be directed toward funding these commissions.

Several Senators, including Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), voiced concerns over the proposed funding model.

 

 

Senator Abdullahi warned that the provision could lead to legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly allow its statutory allocation to be reduced.

“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15% of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments,” Abdullahi said.

Seeking to clarify the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, quickly intervened.

He explained that the 15% allocation would not involve a direct deduction from the states’ funds.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15% of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of Zonal Development Commissions by the federal government, is not about deduction at all.

“What is recommended, as contained in the report presented to us by the Committee on Special Duties and being considered by the Senate now, is that 15% of the statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would, by way of calculation by the federal government, be used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15% of which, as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the federal government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their Development Commission.”

Despite Barau’s explanation, several senators remained unconvinced and expressed their desire to contribute to the debate.

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stepped in, asserting that the provision was constitutionally sound.

“We don’t need to debate whether 15% of statutory allocations from member states in a commission would be deducted,” Akpabio said, citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.

“Fifteen percent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate, and by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” he added.

Akpabio then called for a voice vote, and the majority voted in favour of the provision.

In his remarks following the passage of the consolidated bills, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the Senators for their efforts in finalising the Zonal Development Commissions.

He noted that these commissions would provide a foundation for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills passed include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and the North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 were previously passed.

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Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation for Seven Ministerial Nominees

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By Elizabeth Okwe and Ojone Grace Odaudu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday urged the Senate to screen for confirmation, seven nominees for appointment as ministers.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read President Tinubu’s letter of request during plenary.

The ministerial nominees for Senate’s consideration and approval are, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour & Employment); Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State Foreign Affairs), and Dr Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment).

Others are, Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development), Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (State Education).

Akpabio referred the nominees to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative work as soon as possible

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Tinubu Fires More Ministers

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By Elizabeth Okwe and Ojone Grace Odaudu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fired at least five ministers

The ministers are

1. Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs

2. Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism

3. Prof Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education

4. Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development

5. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development.

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