TORONTO 

Canada announced Sunday that it is joining European countries in banning flights from the UK due to concerns over a new fast-moving coronavirus strain sweeping across parts of England.

Flights from the UK to Canada have been halted indefinitely as of midnight, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport.

The move came as several European countries including France, Germany, Italy and Austria plus Turkey announced a suspension of flights from the UK amid news of the strain.

The World Health Organization has also asked European countries to redouble their health measures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions Saturday over the new coronavirus strain covering London, the southeast and the east of England.

The new Tier 4 rules necessitate that residents stay at home apart from limited exemptions and that non-essential shops, indoor gyms and leisure facilities and personal care services must close and people must work from home if they can until the next review on Dec. 30.​​​​​​​