Italy extends ban on Brazil flights to mid-February

Italy has extended by a further fortnight the suspension of flights from Brazil in response to the new coronavirus variant detected there, Health Minister Roberto Speranza has said.

“I have signed a new order pushing back the suspension of flights from Brazil and the ban to enter Italy to all those who have been through the country in the 14 previous days,” he said.

He added Italy should maintain its “cautious approach” while its scientists continued to study the different variants.

The suspension which had initially been until the end of January; has now been extended till mid-February, his ministry said.

Olusola Akintonde/BBC