EU tries to agree response to new UK strain

EU WORKS

The European Union’s 27 member states will try to co-ordinate restrictions on links to the UK, after dozens of countries suspended travel amid alarm over a new coronavirus variant. So far most of the bloc has acted individually. France and the UK are trying to reach a deal on ending disruption in the Channel from Wednesday. The new variant appears to be more transmissible, but there is no sign it is more deadly. Almost all EU member states are now blocking travellers from the UK. EU co-ordination talks are continuing in Brussels, and the European Commission is expected to make an announcement later on Tuesday. Despite those talks, countries are likely to continue with their own policies, the BBC’s Gavin Lee reports from Brussels.(BBC)…[+]