Description: 

Some European countries are reentering lockdowns, tightening vaccination restrictions and reintroducing mask mandates. 

Transcription: 

Whit: New covid variant discovered in South Africa. It's now been detected in other countries and new travel restrictions are being implemented around the world. Lama Hassan joins us now from London with the latest Lama good morning. Lama Hassan: And good morning to you. Global cases of his new variant are on the rise. Infections now identified in Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium. Scientists sounding the alarm on this variant which they say is the most heavily mutated variant discovered so far. They worry could evade vaccines and could be more transmissible this morning. The UK instituting an emergency travel ban on six Southern African countries where the variant was first identified. Israel and Singapore also introducing travel restrictions overnight. The EU saying it's planning to follow suit not today. The World Health Organization holding an emergency meeting and could designate this variant is either one of interest or one of concerns the global markets reacting this morning with stocks taking a hit, Whit. Whit: And Lama news of this is coming as some European nations are implementing new restrictions as well. Lama Hassan: Yeah, that's right. Europe now the epicenter. As a fourth wave. Is sweeping across much of the continent with a big surge in covid cases. Germany one of the country's hardest hit is recording more than a hundred thousand deaths since the pandemic began. And the World Health Organization is warning of a further seven hundred thousand curve of deaths in Europe by March. If current trends hold now both Austria and Slovakia have entered lockdowns. France is ramping up their booster shot campaign. And Portugal and Italy are tightening restrictions. Requiring people be vaccinated to go to social activities. Even in areas considered low risk for covert. Now, the Netherlands reintroducing mass mandates in stores and ordering bars and restaurants to close at 8 pm. This is a stark reminder that we are not out of the woods yet, Whit. Lama Hassan: Absolutely Lama, thank you. 

Question: 

1. Which country is the new covid variant discovered?

2. How many Southern African countries did the UK instituting an emergency travel ban?

3. In detail, what restrictions are implemented in different countries?