Peru bans flights from Europe due to coronavirus concerns

Peru suspended flights from Europe on Monday for the next two weeks and declared an alert after a new variant of COVID-19 was detected in the United Kingdom.

"Faced with the appearance of a new variant of the COVID-19 virus whose impact is not yet fully known, we are taking actions with absolute responsibility," said interim president Francisco Sagasti, in a televised address to the nation.

Sagasti banned the entry of non-resident foreigners who have been in the United Kingdom in the last two weeks.

Peruvians or resident foreigners who have visited the United Kingdom in the last two weeks will have to quarantine for a fortnight.

The decision to cut flights with Europe comes amid a further rise in coronavirus cases in Peru.

The country has reported more than 997,000 cases and 37,103 deaths.