South Africa's health department said last week that a new genetic mutation of Covid-19 had been found in the country, and maybe responsible for a recent surge in infections.

The fast spreading strain has also been reported in Britain.

Switzerland has ordered people who have entered the country from South Africa or the UK since December 14 to undergo a 10 day quarantine and imposed a general entry ban for foreign nationals from those countries.

Germany said it planned to impose restrictions on flights, and Turkey has suspended flights from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa.

Al Salvador has also said it is banning travelers who have been in the UK or South Africa in the last 30 days, or whose flights included a layover in there.