Travel by visitors to the UK from South Africa has been banned amid concern over a variant of Covid-19 linked to the country.
People who have been in or transited through South Africa in the last 10 days are no longer allowed into the UK.
The new rule does not apply to British and Irish nationals - but they will have to self-isolate.
Covid-19: UK bans travel from South Africa over variant https://t.co/flLkWAbkFn
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 24, 2020
The variant was found in London and north-west England, both in contacts of people who had been in South Africa.
The Department for Transport said the ban reflects the "increased risk" from the new variant, but will be kept under review.
Anyone required to quarantine will need to do so for 10 days, along with members of their household.
UK visa holders and permanent residents arriving from South Africa will not be affected - but they will also need to self-isolate.
The government had already ordered anyone in the UK who has travelled to South Africa in the past fortnight, and anyone they have been in contact with, to quarantine immediately, along with their households.
The travel ban came into effect at 09:00 GMT on Christmas Eve, after the government announced six million more people in England were being moved into the highest tier four restrictions on 26 December.
At a Downing Street press briefing on Wednesday, Health Secretary Hancock said the new variant linked to South Africa was "highly concerning".
Any exemptions to quarantine usually in place - including for those related to employment - do not apply, he added.
The variant was detected for the first time in the UK on Tuesday.
Scientists in South Africa say it is still being analysed, but the data are consistent with it spreading more quickly.
It shares some similarities with another new Covid variant that has already been detected in the UK, although they have evolved separately.
Both have a mutation - called N501Y - which is in a crucial part of the virus that it uses to infect the body's cells.
Latest Stories
-
Yaw Nsarkoh: Bit by bit we will understand China
5 hours -
Looted and returned: Asante royal artefacts on display for public viewing at Manhyia Museum
5 hours -
Suspected killer in Kasoa land dispute shooting not a National Security operative
6 hours -
Ghana appoint four Para Athletics coaches in Preparation for Paris 2024
6 hours -
Kumasi Cheshire Home decries inadequate equipment; seeks public support
6 hours -
UCL: Niclas Fullkrug hands Dortmund first leg advange over PSG
7 hours -
GPL: Accra Lions beat Hearts of Oak to go third
8 hours -
Seek higher grounds as rains intensify – GMet warns
9 hours -
May Day: Sam Ankrah promises to prioritise welfare and well-being of workers if elected president
9 hours -
Bawumia plans door-to-door campaign for 2024 polls
9 hours -
GAF condemns ‘unprovoked’ fatal shooting of soldier in Kasoa land dispute
9 hours -
OSP’s request for money laundering probe against Cecilia Dapaah baseless – AG advises EOCO
10 hours -
Obofour Raphael releases ‘Asem Yi Di Ka’ EP
10 hours -
‘Operation Clean Your Surroundings’: Popular Kenkey joint and public toilets in Takoradi shut down
10 hours -
GFA boss Kurt Okraku graces Dreams FC’s dinner to celebrate CAF Confederation Cup exploits
11 hours