Britain’s government to hold a crisis meeting

Britain’s government said it would hold a crisis meeting after countries worldwide banned arrivals from the UK over a new highly infectious coronavirus strain it said was “out of control”, as the WHO called for stronger containment measures, AFP reported.

Across the Atlantic there were hints a new round of government support could soon reach struggling Americans, with Washington lawmakers closing in on a deal for a $900 million spending package.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was to chair the COBR emergencies committee on Monday, his office said, after a slew of nations from Sweden to Turkey blocked arrivals from Britain by air.

Crucial transit country France moved to block people and goods crossing the Channel, while the Netherlands said passengers arriving by ferry would be denied entry.

COBR would “discuss the situation regarding international travel, in particular the steady flow of freight into and out of the UK,” a Downing Street spokesman added.

The ban on all but unaccompanied freight traveling crossing to France comes as companies scramble to shift merchandise with days to go until Britain finally quits EU trade structures in the wake of Brexit.

Late Sunday, Britain’s critical south coast port at Dover said it was closing to all accompanied freight and passengers due to the French border restrictions “until further notice.”

“I’m lucky I managed to board at Dover to get here before midnight!” Italian student Pesante said as she arrived at the French port of Calais.