A new highly infectious strain of coronavirus found in the United Kingdom has raised concerns among scientists and health officials as the variant's rapid infection rate has forced several European countries to place travel restrictions. According to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the fast-moving new variant of the virus is 70 percent more transmissible than existing strains and is currently spreading at an alarming rate in London and southern England.

Considering the situation, the Indian government has suspended flights to and from the UK until December 31. A statement from the ministry of civil aviation read, "Considering the prevailing situation in the UK, the Indian government has decided that all flights originating from the UK to India shall be temporarily suspended till 31st December 2020 (23.59 hours). This suspension to start w.e.f. 11.59 pm, 22nd December. Consequently flights from India to UK shall stand temporarily suspended during above said period." Reassuring the citizens of the country, Union health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan had said earlier today that the authorities are keeping a close watch and that that there is no need to panic as the government is alert on the issue. The health ministry had called an emergency meeting of experts from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the World Health Organization (WHO) representative, among others, to discuss the mutant coronavirus.

The World Health Organization, which has apparently remained in close contact with British officials over the new Covid-19 strain, recently mentioned in a statement, "We are in close contact with UK officials. They will continue to share information and results of their analysis and ongoing research. We will update the public and member states as we learn more, and have a clearer picture of the characteristics of this variant. In the meantime, we advise people to take all protective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and comply with national authorities' guidance."

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).

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) December 21, 2020

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.

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) December 21, 2020