OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee has announced new travel restrictions for people arriving from the United Kingdom and South Africa reporting a new and seemingly more contagious strain of the coronavirus.
Inslee said Monday that he would issue a proclamation requiring passengers who arrive from the United Kingdom and South Africa to quarantine for 14 days including passengers who have arrived from those countries in the past few days.
“Today’s action is a commonsense public health measure and … is another attempt to keep Washingtonians safe,” Inslee said.
Washington’s governor on Monday joined a growing list of governments from Canada to India in restricting travel from Britain. It wasn’t immediately known if any other states are implementing the travel restrictions.
Over the weekend, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed strict lockdown measures in London and neighboring areas where Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain is “out of control.” Experts said the early evidence indicates the strain is not more deadly, and expressed confidence that the vaccines now being given would be effective against it.
British Airways canceled a flight from London to Seattle on Monday, according to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport spokesperson Perry Cooper.
“It’s not clear if it was cancelled due to the latest news or for other reasons such as mechanical or low ticket sales,” Cooper said, adding low ticket sales on international flights have been the norm recently because of international COVID-19 restrictions. “No word at this time if future flights are affected.”
Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Air previously suspended service between Seattle and U.K. and have not yet resumed those flights, he said.
