British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a crisis meeting today as a growing number of countries worldwide blocked flights to Britain over a new highly infectious coronavirus strain the UK said was "out of control".
A 48-hour ban on flights to Ireland from Britain came into effect from midnight, while ferries will be limited to freight travel, as part of measures aimed at reducing the spread of a new strain of Covid-19.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said ferries will continue to operate for freight between Britain and Ireland. "We need haulage coming in to keep our shelves full but other passengers will be restricted," he said.