The Beta variant of the coronavirus is in France It poses a “threat” to the UK, and there is evidence that it may evade the role of the vaccine. A scientist involved in advising the UK government There are warnings.
Professor John Edmunds, member of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Emergency Scientific Advisory Group (Sage) said that he can understand the concerns about the variant that led to the last-minute travel rule change.
Announcing the return of holidaymakers on Friday night United Kingdom People from France must continue to quarantine for 10 days—even if they receive a double blow—when restrictions on other Amber List countries are relaxed.
The ministers stated that the move was a preventive measure due to concerns that the Beta variant “persisted” in the country.
Its advantage is that it can better evade immune response
Professor Edmunds told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today program: “The Beta variant is a threat from beginning to end. It may not be as contagious as the Delta variant currently circulating in the UK. Its advantage is that it can better evade the immune response.”
He added: “As the population here becomes more and more immune, the conditions for the Beta variant to gain an advantage are just right, so I can understand this concern.
“Of the known variants, that variant has always been a threat to us. South Africa has some good evidence that it can more effectively evade the immune response generated by the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination is one of four approved vaccines that have been vaccinated to millions of people in the UK in recent months.
Starting from Monday, travelers returning to the UK from all countries on the Amber List except France will not need to be quarantined on arrival if they have been double-vaccinated or are under 18 years of age.
France’s statement highlights the uncertainty in certain regions regarding the lifting of England’s blockade restrictions from July 19.
This also marks another blow to the fate of the tourism industry. Industry body Abta said this is a further setback to hopes for a “meaningful recovery”.
This is also two days after the Spanish resort islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca changed from green to amber, which means that anyone over 18 years of age who has not been fully vaccinated must be quarantined when returning.
Health Minister Sajid Javid stated that the government has always made it clear that it will take swift action at the border to “protect the results of our successful vaccination program”, while the Labour Party accused the ministers of creating “chaos” during the holiday.
Shadow Secretary of the Interior Nick Thomas Symonds said: “The ministers are making rules and causing chaos.
“They have never formulated an appropriate strategy-the tourism industry and the British people have once again paid the price for it.”
At the same time, French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said on Twitter on Saturday morning that France is adjusting its border measures to require unvaccinated travelers from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands and Portugal to complete antigen or PCR. The test time is less than 24 hours before departure.
