How does the world deal with new coronavirus strain?

A coronavirus variant that is spreading quickly in south-east England may be up to 70 percent transmissible.

But health experts say there is no evidence it is more deadly, or will react differently to a vaccine.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed stricter restrictions in some parts of the United Kingdom.

It is believed the virus mutation was first detected in September and the UK government has been aware of it since last month.

Scientists wanted tougher lockdown measures introduced then, but Johnson’s been accused of ignoring their pleas.

Various countries have imposed bans on travel to and from the UK.

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Dr Muhammad Munir – virologist and lecturer in biomedicine at Lancaster University

Emanuele Capobianco – director of Health at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Max Lawson – head of inequality policy at Oxfam International