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Germany declares Portugal, Russia COVID-19 variant zones, restricts travel

Tourists depart Frankfurt Airport for Easter holidays in Frankfurt
FILE PHOTO: Departing passengers queue at Frankfurt Airport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Frankfurt, Germany, April 1, 2021. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

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BERLIN: Germany declared Portugal and Russia to be "virus-variant zones", a measure that will trigger severe restrictions on travel to and from both countries.

Germany's public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute, made the announcement on Friday (Jun 25) evening.

Britain, where the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is already endemic, has already been declared a virus-variant zone, meaning travellers arriving from there face a mandatory two-week quarantine.

Source: Reuters