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New Brazilian variant triggers travel ban amid delay on test policy for foreign arrivals

The government is 'not aware at this stage' of the Brazilian coronavirus variant having already entered the UK, as a travel ban comes into force

'From almost everywhere you must quarantine, and quarantine is the primary tool, the pre-departure test is only a secondary check. Quarantine is the absolute key and that doesn’t change,' transport secretary Grant Shapps said
'From almost everywhere you must quarantine, and quarantine is the primary tool, the pre-departure test is only a secondary check. Quarantine is the absolute key and that doesn’t change,' transport secretary Grant Shapps said Photo: Getty Images

Travel from all of South America and Portugal has been banned due to increasing concern over the new Brazilian variant of coronavirus, in a bid to not “fall at this last hurdle” as Britain’s vaccination rollout gets underway.

It comes as the UK was forced to delay its policy — due to come into force on 15 January — on requiring all those travelling into the country to provide a negative test result taken 72 hours prior to departure.

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