Italy Suspends Flights From Brazil in Response to New Coronavirus Variant

Reuters
By Reuters
January 16, 2021Europe
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Italy Suspends Flights From Brazil in Response to New Coronavirus Variant
Italian Minister of Health Roberto Speranza answers journalists questions as he leaves EU health ministers meeting on the coronavirus COVID-19 at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 6, 2020. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images)

MILAN—Italy is suspending flights from Brazil, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Saturday, in response to a new coronavirus variant.

Anyone who has transited Brazil in the last 14 days is also prohibited from entering Italy, he said on Facebook, while people arriving in Italy from Brazil will be required to take a test for the virus.

“It is critical for our scientists to study the new strain. In the meantime, we are taking a very cautious approach,” he said.

Such rules will remain in place until Jan. 31, the order issued on Saturday by the health minister showed.

By Elvira Pollina

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