UK bans entry of travelers from South America and Portugal... Emergency over 'Brazil variant'

Severe Impact from UK Variant... "Must Prevent Entry of Brazil Variant"
Portugal Travelers Also Banned... "Exceptions for Essential Equipment Transporters"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The UK government announced that it will impose a complete ban on travelers arriving from South American countries and Portugal to prevent the influx of a new variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) originating from Brazil. Given that the UK is already suffering significant damage from the UK-origin variant, this is seen as a desperate measure to prevent further variant-related harm. The Brazilian variant is estimated to be largely similar to the variants from the UK and South Africa (South African variant) and is known to have a stronger transmission capability than the original COVID-19 virus.

According to foreign media such as the BBC, on the 14th (local time), Grant Shapps, the UK Secretary of State for Transport, announced via Twitter that starting from 4 a.m. on the 15th, travelers from Brazil and other South American countries will be completely banned from entering the UK. The entry ban applies to most South American countries including Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The same measure was also applied to Portugal, which has active human exchanges with Brazil. However, cargo transport workers responsible for transporting essential materials are exempt from the entry ban.

UK and Ireland nationals or permanent residents currently traveling or residing in South America or Portugal are allowed to return home but will be required to self-isolate for 10 days immediately upon arrival. Secretary Shapps requested people to refrain from visiting South American countries, stating, "Now is not the time to travel; you should stay at home," and added, "It is still unknown how long the entry ban will remain in place."

In the UK, where COVID-19 cases are already surging due to the variant found in the England region, there are concerns about the spread of the Brazilian variant. Like the variants spreading in the UK and South Africa, the Brazilian variant is estimated to have a stronger infectivity than the original virus. The Brazilian variant was detected in four Brazilian travelers who entered Japan from Brazil earlier this month, and subsequently, Brazilian health authorities and research institutions confirmed that this variant originated domestically, hence it is called the Brazilian variant.

Dr. Felipe Naveca of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a Brazilian research institute, told the BBC in an interview, "The Brazilian variant evolved separately from the UK and South African variants but shows similar mutation patterns," adding, "These variants are concerning because they lead to increased transmissibility." He further emphasized, "However, at present, there is no evidence to suggest that vaccines are ineffective against these variants."