India has joined the list of countries that have suspended flights operating from the United Kingdom in view of the discovery of more infectious coronavirus variant, which has wreaked havoc there ahead of Christmas.
The Indian ministry of civil aviation said that ‘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).’
“This suspension to start w.e.f. 23.59 hours, 22nd December 2020. Consequently flights from India to UK shall stand temporarily suspended during above said period,” the statement by the ministry said.
It added, “As a measure of abundant precaution, passengers arriving from UK in all transit flights (flights that have taken off or flights which are reaching India before 22nd Dec at 23.59 hrs) should be subject to mandatory RT-PCR test on arrival at the airports concerned.”
The ministry said that ‘as a measure of abundant precaution, passengers arriving from UK in all transit flights (flights that have taken off or flights which are reaching India before 22nd Dec at 23.59 hrs) should be subject to mandatory RT-PCR test on arrival at the airports concerned.’
The measure came after the UK reported a more infectious coronavirus variant, which has become ‘out of control.’ Earlier, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Turkey and Canada had suspended flight to and from the UK. France has closed its border with the UK for 48 hours, with no lorries or ferry passengers able to sail from the port of Dover.
According to the BBC, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is likely to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee later.
