Growing trepidation over the outbreak of a more infectious virus strain in Britain prompted travel chaos as over 40 countries restricted travelers from the country, canceling flights and blocking trade channels, CNN reported on Tuesday.

The new variant discovered by scientists in the UK has forced local governments to enforce a Tier 4 lockdown -- the highest level pandemic measure -- in London and southeast England and tighten prohibitions for all of England over the holiday period.

The U.S. does not currently propose restricting travel from the UK though it is a possibility, U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Adm. Brett Giroir told CNN Monday.

Since Britain's lockdown was announced Saturday, over a dozen nations in Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East have banned travel from the UK and in some cases, travel from other nations that have reported cases with the new viral strain.

The disruptions stoked paranoia of panic-buying in British supermarkets, as Britons already spooked by an increase in COVID cases and a hastily implemented lockdown in major parts of England, were distressed about running out of fresh food in the days leading to Christmas.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is crafting emergency measures to provide aid to British nationals impacted by the travel disruptions brought about by the new prohibitions.

Italy, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and France were among the countries that announced ban on travel. Air passengers from the UK arriving in Germany were put on isolation at airports on Sunday night.

Hong Kong also shut its borders Monday night to travelers from the UK,  saying all passenger flights from the country would be restricted starting midnight. The prohibition will be extended for the first time to residents in Hong Kong. Canada, Russia, Iran and India have also issued new travel bans.