
BERLIN, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A German government spokesperson announced on Sunday that Germany plans to limit travel possibilities with the UK and South Africa.
Due to the new variant of the coronavirus, travel between Germany and the UK as well as with South Africa is to be restricted, government spokesperson Martina Fietz announced via Twitter.
A corresponding regulation is currently being drafted. Germany is also in contact with its European partners, according to the tweet.
The spread of the virus variant could be a coincidence. The mutations do not necessarily give the virus a selection advantage, even if that is possible, a leading German virologist Christian Drosten tweeted on the same day.
Robert Koch Institute, the German federal government agency for disease control and prevention, reported on Sunday 22,771 new infections within past 24 hours. This means 1,494,009 people in Germany have so far been confirmed to be infected. Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus-related deaths rose by 409 to 26,049.
On Saturday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new tier four of coronavirus restrictions for London and other parts of England to combat an alarming surge in infections linked to a new virulent strain.
"New variant (of the virus) may be up to 70 percent more transmissible," Johnson noted.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses