NEW DELHI: Flights to and from the UK have been banned till December 31 over a new fast-spreading strain of the coronavirus in that country, the government said today as several countries announced similar moves.
“Considering the prevailing situation in UK, the government of India has decided that all flights originating from UK to India to be suspended till 31st December,” said aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation. “Consequently flights from India to UK shall stand temporarily suspended during above said period.”
The ban will come into effect on Wednesday and all passengers arriving from the UK before then will be tested on arrival at airports.
A joint monitoring group on COVID-19 had met this morning to discuss the mutant coronavirus that has spread rapidly in the UK, sending cases rocketing within days.
Canada, Saudi Arabia, and several European countries have suspended flights from the UK over the new strain, believed to be 70 per cent more infectious.
Much is unknown about the strain, but experts say current vaccines should still be effective against it.
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said the government was fully alert about the new strain and stressed “there’s no need to panic”.
There had been calls to ban flights from the UK since yesterday. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted this morning: “New mutation of corona virus has emerged in UK, which is a super-spreader. I urge central government to ban all flights from UK immediately.”
The UK is one of 23 countries that India shares an “air bubble” with. India, which has the second-highest number of cases after the US, does not currently mandate institutional quarantine for international travellers if they have a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours before entering the country. (AGENCY)
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