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The United Kingdom has suspended entry for passengers arriving in England from South Africa following reports of a new variant of the coronavirus spreading in some provinces.
"This is different to the UK variant, meaning a travel ban is critical to prevent further domestic infections," a UK government statement said.
"From 9 am Thursday 24 December 2020, visitors arriving into England, who have been in or transited through South Africa in the previous 10 days, will not be permitted entry and direct flights will be banned," it said.
This excluded cargo and freight without passengers or British and Irish Nationals, visa holders and permanent residents, who will be able to enter but are required to self-isolate for 10 days along with their household.
"The UK does not currently have a travel corridor with South Africa, and so anyone who has returned from the country recently should already be self-isolating for 10 days and should continue to do so."
The UK government said it was working closely with international partners to understand the changes in the virus that have been reported in South Africa and we are conducting a programme of further research here in the UK to inform our risk assessments.
"The ban and expanded self-isolation measures will be kept under review," it said.
