Daily US Times: France has confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus variant recently identified in the UK. Experts say this variant of more contagious.

The health ministry of France said the person was a French citizen who had arrived from London on 19 December.

The ministry said he is currently self-isolating at home.

The appearance of the new coronavirus variant in the UK triggered travel curbs with dozens of countries.

France closed its border with the UK but ended its ban on Wednesday, providing people tested negative before travelling. Thousands of lorry drivers spent their Christmas Day in their lorries in Kent waiting to cross the English Channel.

The new French case was confirmed after the man was tested in hospital on 21 December, the health ministry said.

The infected person is a French national living in the UK. The ministry said the person was feeling alright and added without providing further details.

Other countries have also reported cases of the new coronavirus variant: on Friday, Japan confirmed five infections in passengers who had all arrived from the United Kingdom, while cases in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia were reported earlier.

France lifted its national lockdown last week, but the government said the infection rate had not fallen sufficiently for a further easing.

This means cinemas and theatres remain shut as do restaurants and bars. A nationwide curfew is also effective in the country from 20:00 to 06:00. The curfew was lifted for Christmas Eve, but will remain for New Year’s Eve.

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