Britain branded a ‘disaster’ as mutant Covid spreads to six countries and 40 nations ban UK flights

THE UK has been branded a "disaster" as a mutant strain of the coronavirus causes chaos and 40 countries place bans on British flights.

The new strain, thought to be up to 70 per cent more infectious than the original, was first detected in London earlier this month and has now been identified in at least six other territories around the world.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

The strain's alarming spread prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the weekend to scale back the relaxation of lockdown measures over Christmas for millions across the UK.

Speaking from Downing Street, he said scientists are "learning more about this variant" as they go, but that it was "now spreading very fast".

Tier four restrictions have now been imposed across the southeast, south, and east of England, with a travel ban enforced and residents told not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.

The news prompted alarm around the world, with dozens of countries imposing a ban on flights from the UK.

France's Le Monde newspaper said the strain "concludes a disaster year for the United Kingdom", while Belgium's HLN paper said that "chaos looms" for the country.

It comes as...

• It emerged the 'supercharged' Covid mutation was first spotted in Brazil EIGHT months ago
• An expert says the UK Covid mutant strain could be the 'tip of the iceberg'
• The US says 'everything is on the table' about a possible UK travel ban
• The France travel ban sparked huge seven-mile queues from the Kent coast 

At least 17 countries across Europe - including France, Germany, and Ireland - have imposed bans, as have Canada, India, Russia, Israel, and numerous other countries globally.

The US is yet to follow suit, but speaking today Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said that "everything [is] on the table".

The ban in Germany left more than 60 Brits stranded and sleeping on camp beds at an airport in Hanover while screening was carried out.

France has also closed its borders to freight lorries from the UK for 48 hours, a move that it is feared could have a "devastating" effect on the supply of food and other goods in Britain.

The French say they are working on a plan to get lorries moving later tonight.