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* FTSE 100 down 2.1%, FTSE 250 off 2.8%
Dec 21 (Reuters) - London's blue-chips slumped on Monday to
a near three-week low as a fast-spreading new coronavirus strain
prompted tougher restrictions, while a fresh ban on UK
travellers hammered airline and oil stocks.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE fell 2.1% to touch its lowest since
Dec. 2, though a near 2% plunge in the pound capped losses on
the exporter-heavy index. GBP/
BP BP.L and Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L were the biggest
drags on the index, shedding almost 5% each as crude prices
slumped on worries about fuel demand. O/R
British Airways-owner IAG ICAG.L , Wizz Air Holdings
WIZZ.L and easyJet EZJ.L fell between 11% and 16%, while
InterContinental Hotels Group IHG.L dropped 4% as many of
Britain's European neighbours imposed a ban on travel to the
United Kingdom. The domestically focused FTSE 250 .FTMC , considered a
barometer for Brexit sentiment, shed 2.8% with no Brexit trade
deal in sight. Brexit-sensitive banking stocks such as Lloyds LLOY.L and
Barclays BARC.L tumbled over 5%.