ONE of the concerning coronavirus variants found in Brazil, that has led to a travel ban to the country, has been found in the UK a leading scientist has said.

Professor Wendy Barclay, head of G2P-UK National Virology Consortium and a government adviser said it would now be traced "very carefully".

Prof Barclay said: "There are two different types of Brazilian variants and one of them has been detected and one of them has not.

“In the databases, if you search the sequences, you will see that there is some some evidence for variants from around the world, and I believe including the Brazilian one, which probably was introduced some time ago.

“And that will be being traced very carefully.”

The variant is the latest mutated form of the coronavirus to have emerged during the pandemic.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said although it was not likely to cause a more severe infection, it was more transmissible from person to person, and so easier to catch.

On Thursday, Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps announced South America, Panama, Portugal and Cape Verde would be subject to a travel ban from today amid concerns over the new variant.

Speaking on Twitter he said: “I’ve taken the urgent decision to ban arrivals from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Fremch Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela following evidence of a new variant in Brazil.

“Travel from Portugal to the UK will also be suspended given its strong travel links with Brazil. This measure does not apply to British and Irish Nationals and third country nationals with residence rights – but passengers returning from these destinations must self-isolate for 10 days along with their households.”