From media reports: The Local reported that the French government is suspending all flights to and from Brazil to curb the spread of a new COVID-19 variant found in the South American country.

Experts say the Brazilian variant, known as P1, is particularly virulent and partly to blame for a sharp increase in the country's COVID-19 death toll in March.

"We have observed that the situation is worsening and that is why we have decided to suspend all flights between Brazil and France until further notice," Castex said before parliament.

The French overseas department of French Guiana shares a border with Brazil, causing concern to the government over the health situation.