The United Kingdom has banned travellers from South Africa to prevent the spread of a new variant of the CCP virus linked to the country. “From 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, visitors arriving into England who have been in or transited through South Africa in the previous 10 days will not be permitted entry and direct flights will be banned,” the UK government said late Wednesday. British and Irish nationals, visa holders, and permanent residents will be able to enter England but are required to self-isolate for 10 days along with their household, the government said in a statement. This followed Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s revelation on Wednesday that a new variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus which was first identified in South Africa had been detected in two patients in the UK. “This new variant is highly concerning, because it is yet more transmissible, and it …