The Government has banned all flights from Britain until midnight tomorrow.

It's after a new strain of Covid-19 was identified in the South of England, that spreads faster and more easily than others.

All incoming flights from mainland Britain have been grounded and ferry crossings are restricted to cargo only.

Minister Eamon Ryan says the Government can't rule out the possibility of that new mutated strain of the virus being here.

The decision to ban all flights from Britain for 48 hours will impact on Ireland West Airport Knock, which had only reopened over the weekend after being closed for a month - the second lockdown this year due to Covid-19.

Today's in and outbound flights from London Stansted and Luton have been cancelled as a result of the ban, which is in place for today and tomorrow and will be reviewed by Cabinet tomorrow.

Passengers due to travel to and from Ireland West Airport Knock in the coming days are advised to contact Ryanair.

The Irish Times reports this  morning that the unprecedented 48-hour ban on passenger travel from Britain is likely to be extended by the Government beyond Tuesday, as fears grow over the spread of a more infectious strain of Covid-19.