The Netherlands has joined a range of nations banning flights from South Africa to stop the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus. The Dutch government said all passenger flights were banned with immediate effect until January 1, at the latest. An exception would be made for medical workers, it said, while cargo flights were also still allowed. At least seven countries and airlines, including Germany and Turkey, were reported to have banned flights to South Africa on Monday after a new genetic mutation of COVID-19 had been found there and is believed to be responsible for a recent…