Boris Johnson is holding COBRA meeting after numerous countries have closed their borders to the U.K.

This comes after health secretary Matt Hancock decreed there was a new strain of the virus which is much more contagious a week ago.

The new strain was identified mainly in the South East of England according to Hancock. Consequently, the Prime Minister introduced Tier 4 restrictions in the South East of England on Saturday, which caused Brits in these regions to sadly cancel and change their Christmas plans.

Yesterday, EU Countries Italy, Germany, and Belgium announced the closing of their borders, and France closed the Dover-Calais passage, which prompted the PM to call the emergency COBRA meeting.

Today, there are up to 30+ countries who have announced the closing of their borders to the UK, cancelling flights and crossings out of fear of this new strain reaching their soil.

There is some hope that the French borders could re-open if COVID screening can be introduced.

Wales has gone back into another national lockdown, Scotland will be entering their highest restrictions on Boxing Day, there are restrictions in place in Northern Ireland but they are currently under review.

Whilst the nation awaits updates from Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Please stay safe this Christmas. Please find attached some links which hopefully will help: