The South African variant is called Omicron.
Two cases of the new covid variant have been discovered in the UK.
image via pixabayHealth Secretary Sajid Javid says four more countries in Africa have been added to Britain's travel red list.
They include Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola.
Meanwhile a minister in Germany says it has "probably" arrived in the country.
It's claimed mutations were found in a passenger arriving from South Africa.
It comes as 61 people arriving from the country on two flights into Amsterdam are covid positive.
But it's not yet known if they have the new strain.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, says Europe must act quickly to stop the spread of the new Covid variant.
Yesterday she advised that all air travel to affected countries should be suspended.
The Transport minister here has said the Irish Government is looking to provide repatriation flights for Irish citizens who may be stranded in Southern Africa.
Currently there are over 35 thousand Irish Citizens based there - although most are long term residents.
