China has suspended flights to and from Britain after it reported a new, more infectious strain of the coronavirus.

China has largely curbed the spread of Covid-19 within its borders, but authorities remain highly vigilant about the threat of “imported” virus cases, according to AFP.

“Given the exceptional nature of the virus mutation and its potential impact [...] China has suspended flights between China and the UK after full assessment,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a routine briefing.

Turkey and Canada have also banned incoming flights from Britain indefinitely.