TEHRAN - Iran has extended the ban on passenger flights to Britain until February 19 due to the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus, the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran announced.

According to a statement by CAO on Saturday, the flights to and from the UK will remain suspended for another month, due to the new Covid-19 strain that is spreading rapidly in that country, Mehr reported.

The measure was initially enforced on Dec. 22, 2020, for a fortnight at the request of the Health Ministry and the National Coronavirus Headquarters.

The statement adds that in addition to the cancellations, the connection flights from other countries, especially European countries, have been completely restricted and controlled, and these restrictions continue until further notice.

It is also specified that countries such as Japan, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, and several other countries where alarming mutant variants were reported as of January 21 were also subject to strict health laws, and those visiting or residing in such countries within the past two weeks were also banned from entering Iran.

AFM/