Centre says ‘no need to panic’ over new UK coronavirus strain; Kejriwal demands ban on all UK flights

KEY STORY

• New Delhi: As Britain issued an alert over a more-infectious mutant coronavirus strain that appeared to be “out of control” and was causing a surge in cases, many countries around the world announced flight bans to and from the United Kingdom.

• Canada joined the long list of European countries which have shut their doors to travellers from the UK ahead of the Christmas.

• Amid the leading European countries which have announced restrictions include France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

• In New Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called on the Central government to announce a UK flight ban immediately to safeguard India from the new coronavirus strain.

  “New mutation of corona virus has emerged in UK, which is a super-spreader. I urge central govt to ban all flights from UK immediately (sic),” the Delhi chief minister tweeted.

• The call came as Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on the discovery of the new strain of coronavirus in the UK that the government is alert and “there is no need to panic”.

  “I would say this to all that all these imaginary situations, imaginary talks, imaginary panic… don’t involve yourself in this,” the minister said at a press conference.

• The Union Health Ministry’s top advisory body was scheduled to hold a meeting today to discuss the new novel coronavirus strain that has emerged in the United Kingdom.

UK flights banned

• The Government of France announced that it was banning all people coming from Britain for 48 hours starting Sunday night, including freight carriers, whether by road, air, sea or rail.

• Germany, Italy and the Netherlands announced fight suspensions while Ireland also decided to impose restrictions on flights and ferries from the neighbouring country.

• Belgium too closed its borders to flights and trains – including the popular Eurostar service – from the UK. Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic also issued orders to bar flights from the UK.

“The COVID variant recently discovered in London is worrying and will need to be investigated by our scientists,” Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza said, adding, “in the meantime we choose the path of maximum prudence.”

• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the country was barring all UK flights for 72 hours. He tweeted that those who had already landed in Canada from Britain would be subject to secondary screenings and “advanced measures”.