Countries tighten restrictions over new COVID strains

In Brazil, authorities have banned the entry of foreigners via land or coastal borders, and all flights from Britain, or with stops there, according to the special edition of a government gazette issued late Wednesday.

The provision, signed by the ministries of health, justice and public security, and the president's office, took effect on Friday, and it has also barred the entry of any foreigner who has been in Britain in the past 14 days.

After the announcement about the new virus strain in Britain, the Netherlands became the first major European country to announce a ban on flights to Britain, followed by neighboring Belgium which also halted Britain-bound trains using the Channel Tunnel.

More countries, including Canada, Switzerland, France and Germany, are also following suit to ban flights from Britain amid rising concerns over the highly infectious new strains.