A growing list of countries have imposed travel restrictions on the UK where a mutation of the CCP coronavirus has been detected. The new variant is more transmittable, and may further evolve as it spreads. The variant, named “VUI – 202012/01″(the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020) or “B.1.1.7 lineage” by British scientists, was first identified in mid-September following an increase of COVID-19 cases in Kent and London. As of Dec. 13, the government of UK has recorded 1,108 COVID-19 cases linked to the B.1.1.7 lineage. While it is common for viruses to undergo mutations, scientists found that the B.1.1.7 lineage “carries a larger than usual number of virus genetic changes.” The new variant includes a mutation in the “spike protein.”  Mutation in this part of the virus may increase its ability to spread between people and cause infections more easily. According to data from the UK government, the …