A wave of European countries are restricting travel from the United Kingdom amid mounting fears over an infectious new strain of the novel coronavirus first detected in England.

Austria, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands announced bans on Sunday, with others expected to follow. British officials have reported that a mutation of the virus appears to speed its transmission, and they have imposed severe restrictions on southern England.

The World Health Organization said Sunday that it was in “close contact” with British officials over the new strain, which has now also been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia, the BBC reported.

Italy plans to shortly suspend flights from the U.K. “to protect Italy and our countrymen," Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced Sunday in a Facebook post.

France, Germany and Ireland are considering similar restrictions, according to European media reports. Ireland’s RTE News reported that the government is expected to issue 48-hour restriction on flights and ferries from Britain.

The Netherlands will begin to ban flights from the U.K. starting Sunday until at least the end of the year. Dutch health officials first raised the alarm after they detected a coronavirus case with the same British strand.

Belgium on Sunday also ordered a 24-hour ban on flights and trains between the U.K. beginning at midnight.

The new mutation, or variant, has significant faster transmission rates, though experts said it does not appear to be more deadly or vaccine resistant.

As cases mount, Britain on Saturday announced increased pandemic restrictions, reversing earlier hopes for a more relaxed holiday period as London and parts of the country returned to virtual lockdown.

The news has suddenly left travelers from the U.K. scrambling as rules change fast. Israel on Sunday afternoon announced a new ban on travelers from the U.K., Denmark, and South Africa, citing fears of the new strain.