Belgium is halting flights and Eurostar trains from the United Kingdom for a minimum 24-hour period starting midnight in an effort to contain the spread of a more infectious mutation of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

The Netherlands brought in a ban on flights from the U.K. in order to prevent imports of a new, highly infectious strain of the coronavirus that’s spreading in southern England.

Belgium will apply the ban for 24 hours for the time being, while scientific consultations on the new strain of the virus are still ongoing.

“However, the measure could be extended, if that proves necessary,” De Croo added.

Belgium, one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, has so far reported 623,760 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 18,545 deaths and 42,911 recoveries. (ILKHA)