New restrictions from next week amid fears of African variant

The European Union will propose to halt air travel from southern Africa over growing concern about a new Covid-19 variant, as the UK said it will also temporarily ban flights from the region.

The Government is now expected to introduce more restrictions from next week, given the rise of a new Covid variant, the Finance Minister has indicated.

Paschal Donohoe has said hotel quarantine measures could be signed off on as early as today and further measures are likely to be discussed at a full Cabinet meeting next Tuesday.