New Delhi: In the wake of genetic mutation of the novel coronavirus in the UK, all flights originating from the UK to India are suspended until December 31.
"Considering the prevailing situation in UK. Govt. of India has decided that all flights originating from UK to India to be suspended till 31st December 2020 (23.59 hours," Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) tweeted.
This suspension to start w.e.f. 23.59 hours, 22nd December 2020. Consequently, flights from India to UK shall stand temporarily suspended during the above said period, it added.
According to the ministry, all passengers arriving from the UK in all transit flights (flights that have taken off or flights which are reaching India before 22nd Dec at 23.59 hrs) will be subjected to mandatory RT-PCR testing on arrival at the airports.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the government is fully alert about the new strain of coronavirus reported in the United Kingdom and there's no need to panic.
Also Read: India says do not panic over new Coronavirus
Earlier, the opposition in the country has demanded a complete ban on flights from the UK. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said that the centre should take immediate steps by banning flights to and from the UK in order to prevent the new strain of virus transmission in India.
Notably, the Union Health Ministry on Monday held a meeting of its Joint Monitoring Group (JGM) to discuss the mutant coronavirus.
In Europe, along with France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Bulgaria, Turkey and Canada have closed its borders with the UK. From Asia, Hong Kong and India are the two countries who have announced the suspension of its flights to the UK.
As per the sources, a report prepared by the JGM on the discussions of this meeting was sent to the GoM, which review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness to combat novel coronavirus. After this, a decision on banning flights to and fro from the UK was announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Under the air bubble arrangement, 9 non-stop flights, with around 2,000 passengers from Indian metros were flying to London daily. As of now, Air India and Vistara are offering services to the UK.
