India issues fresh guidelines on air travel from next week

India issues fresh guidelines on air travel from next week

Picture used for illustrative purpose only. Taking in view the emergence of new mutant strains of novel coronavirus in many countries, the Centre has drafted a fresh set of rules to guide international travellers arriving India Feb. 23 onwards. The new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will come into effect from 23. 59 hours on Feb. 22 till further orders. The move is taken in the context of increasing evidence that the mutant variants of SARS-CoV-2 are in circulation in many countries while driving the pandemic in their country of origin. So far, the three SARS-CoV-2 variants in circulation vis-a-vis (i) UK Variant [VOC 202012/01 (B. 1. 1. 7)] (ii) South Africa variant [501Y. V2 (B. 1. 351)] and (iii) Brazil variant [P. 1 (P. 1)] - have been detected in 86, 44 and 15 countries, respectively. "All three variants have demonstrated increased transmissibility, as reported by WHO," the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. The fresh guidelines are applicable on all international travellers coming/transiting through flights originating from the United Kingdom, Europe and Middle East. 1. As part of the new set of guidelines issued by the civil aviation ministry, all international travellers except the ones coming on flights