NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / Aviation Minister says suspension of UK flights may be extended
    India

    Aviation Minister says suspension of UK flights may be extended

    Aviation Minister says suspension of UK flights may be extended
    Written by Shalini Ojha
    Dec 29, 2020, 07:13 pm 3 min read
    Aviation Minister says suspension of UK flights may be extended

    Last week, the Indian government suspended flights to and from the United Kingdom till December 31, in view of the mutated strain of coronavirus. Today, the Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the curbs are likely to remain in place for some time now but added that the government is not planning to suspend flights for a longer period of time. Here's more.

    Context: 70% more transmissible variant sparked worries, countries levied curbs

    Earlier this month, the UK reported a new variant of coronavirus and blamed it for the latest surge of cases. Researchers said this variant was 70% more transmissible but added that the existing vaccines would still work. Soon, a number of European nations levied curbs on travel to and from the UK. India also suspended flight operations and issued new guidelines for recent travelers.

    I foresee a short extension: Puri

    During a press meet, Puri was asked if the suspension order will be revoked anytime soon and he replied in the negative. "I foresee a short extension on this temporary suspension. I don't see the extension to be long or indefinite," he added. Though international flights are suspended, in wake of the pandemic, India established "air bubble" arrangements with some countries to facilitate travel.

    Over fears of new strain, the government changed rules

    To note, a total of 67 weekly flights operate between India and the UK every week. These flights are operated by four major airlines, namely Air India, Vistara, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. Concerned that the new strain might bulldoze all the gains made so far, the government tweaked rules and focused on testing UK returnees. However, it didn't change the treatment protocol.

    Six people tested positive for new coronavirus strain

    Earlier today, it was found that six UK returnees were infected with the new strain. The ones who tested positive for the new strain were isolated in single rooms, as per the guidelines. "The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs," the government said.

    All those who returned after November 25 being traced

    After it was learned that the new strain reached India, the Union Health Ministry revealed that all those who returned from the UK between November 25 and December 23 are being traced. Nearly 33,000 have disembarked at various airports, the Ministry said, adding that only 114 have tested positive. A spike gene-based RT-PCR test will be conducted to ascertain if they have contracted the more infectious variant.

    Now, samples of positive international passengers will be examined

    All the international passengers who have arrived in India during last 14 days (from 9th Dec to 22nd Dec, 2020), if symptomatic and tested positive will be subjected to genome sequencing, in the view of new COVID strain in the United Kingdom: Union Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/O8lN5ifMDS

    — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2020
    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Latest
    Ministry Of Home Affairs
    Puri
    British Airways
    Air India

    Latest

    Happy birthday Shakira! Check out the pop star's fitness secrets Health & Wellness
    Snapchat now has 375mn users; grew by 12mn in Q4 Snapchat
    Shamita Shetty birthday special: Top moments from 'Bigg Boss' Bollywood
    'Thalapathy 67' to 'Ponniyin Selvan II': Trisha Krishnan's upcoming films Upcoming Movies

    Ministry Of Home Affairs

    Ladakh: Sonam Wangchuk to launch hunger strike demanding constitutional safeguards Ladakh
    Delhi hit-and-run case: 11 policemen on PCR, picket duty suspended Delhi
    Delhi hit-and-run case: Book accused for murder, MHA directs police Anjali Singh
    Jammu and Kashmir: LeT proxy TRF issues fresh 'hit list'  Lashkar-e-Taiba

    Puri

    5 amazing recipes featuring asafoetida that you must try today Lifestyle
    5 things to take back home from Odisha Lifestyle
    Odisha: Full Jagannath Rath Yatra opens today after two years India
    Jagannath Puri: SC dismisses petitions against excavations, constructions around temple India

    British Airways

    London's Heathrow Airport caps daily passenger limit. Here's why London
    Sonam Kapoor had the "scariest experience" with Uber in London Twitter
    Faf du Plessis to miss flight to India: Here's why India
    Nearly all British Airways flights cancelled amid two-day strike United Kingdom

    Air India

    'Drunk' woman creates mid-air ruckus on Vistara's Abu Dhabi-Mumbai flight Vistara Airlines
    Go First fined Rs 10 lakh for leaving passengers behind Directorate General of Civil Aviation
    Amid urination case, Air India modifies in-flight alcohol service policy Directorate General of Civil Aviation
    Pee-gate: Air India fined Rs. 30L, pilot's license temporarily suspended Directorate General of Civil Aviation

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023