New COVID Strain: UK Flights Ban Likely To Be Extended

Delhi: After six persons tested positive for the new COVID strain, The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday said there could be a short extension of ban on flights from the UK.

“Once we have genome sequencing completed and a fuller extent of the picture, that will give us the confidence to open up flights again,” said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Puri at a press conference on Tuesday.

The ban on Indian and British airlines providing services to the UK was imposed last week and is in force till December 31.

On similar ban on flights from countries like South Africa, where the strain has been confirmed, Puri said the government was monitoring the situation.