The flight suspensions is yet another blow to the UK's embattled economy.  (Photo: Reuters)

London, December 20 (RHC)-- More and more European countries are suspending flights to the UK as a new strain of coronavirus takes hold in London and southeast England.  Belgium and the Netherlands were the first to suspend all flights with the former also banning train travel to the UK.  They were joined by Austria and Italy which have now also banned flights to and from the UK.

Meanwhile, Germany is also understood to be considering similar action, with a German government official telling the DPA news agency that restrictions on flights from Britain are a "serious option."

Furthermore, the French news channel BFMTV has reported that France too is “seriously” considering suspending “flights and trains” from the UK and to that end the French are “looking for European coordination.”

The rush by European countries to suspend flights from the UK comes in the wake of Boris Johnson’s introduction of a Tier-4 level of COVID-19 restrictions for the capital city London and the southeast of England region.

In a seemingly arbitrary move Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cancelled family Christmas gatherings for people living in London and southeast England.  The latest measures are set to cover the Christmas celebrations period and will apply until at least the beginning of 2021.

According to top British health officials, the new variant of coronavisus is not necessarily more deadly but it is proving to be up to 70% more transmissible.