Russia Extends Suspension of Air Operations with the UK Until February 1

Purpose of Blocking UK-Originated COVID-19 Variant

On December 28 last year (local time) in Moscow, Russia, a medical worker administered the domestically produced novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine 'Sputnik V' to an elderly man. Following the recent approval by the Russian Ministry of Health to allow Sputnik V vaccination for those aged 60 and above, full-scale vaccinations targeting the elderly began in Moscow on the same day. Sputnik V was the first COVID-19 vaccine approved worldwide by the Russian government in August last year.

Russia has extended its suspension of flights with the United Kingdom until February 1st to block the inflow and spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) variant originating from the UK.

On the 12th (local time), according to Russian news agency TASS, the Russian government's COVID-19 prevention task force announced, "We have decided to extend the suspension of flights with the United Kingdom," adding, "For the protection of public health, the restriction will be extended until 23:59 on February 1st."

Previously, on the 22nd of last month, Russia suspended flights with the UK for one week to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 variant, and subsequently extended the suspension period until the 12th of this month.

The COVID-19 variant, first identified in southern England last September, is known to have genetic mutations that increase its transmissibility by up to 70% compared to the original virus.

It is currently spreading rapidly across Europe and to countries worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the variant has been detected in over 40 countries.

Russian health authorities previously disclosed on the 10th that the variant was first detected in a Russian citizen who returned from the UK last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.