India has decided to suspend flights to and from the United Kingdom in response to the new Corona virus, the most contagious that is spreading in the United Kingdom.
Other European countries such as Germany, France and Italy have already suspended UK flights.
Health officials say the new variant is up to 70% more transmissible, but there is no evidence that it is more lethal.
With more than 10 million confirmed cases, India has the second largest number of cases after the United States.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation said flights will be suspended from December 22 until December 31.
Despite concern about the high speed of transmission of the new strain, experts say there is no evidence to suggest it interacts differently with vaccines.
Dr. Fatehuddin, a critical care expert who has treated hundreds of Covid-19 patients, told the BBC that the fear in India is that it could “cause chaos” and “get the health care system out of control”.
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Since July, India has permitted flights to and from the United Kingdom and a few other countries. Experts say India will need to be more vigilant in tracking those who have arrived from the UK in the past two weeks.
Dr Fathiuddin also warned that the southern state of Kerala, where he heads the Epidemic Task Force in Ernakulam District, has just seen a large group of Indians and expats returning from the UK ahead of the holiday season.
“Many professionals such as doctors, nurses, IT experts and students have already come to the state from the UK for the holidays and weddings. We need to act quickly in contact tracing and any complacency at this point could have dire consequences,” he added.
He also advised the authorities to reconsider opening schools and colleges in Kerala and other parts of the country.
Countries outside Europe, such as Hong Kong and Canada, have also banned trips to the United Kingdom.
On Sunday, coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom rose by nearly 36,000 - the highest level ever recorded for cases recorded. A new wave of cases has resulted in the cancellation or restriction of Christmas plans for millions across the UK.
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