India experts to meet today over new virus strain in UK
Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that he believes “personally” that India could be in a position to begin administering the vaccine to the public “maybe” next month. Updated: December 21, 2020 7:18:22 am
Union health minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)
The Health Ministry’s top advisory body will meet urgently on Monday to discuss the
new strain of the novel coronavirusin the United Kingdom, which has triggered concern and prompted several European countries to stop incoming flights from the UK.
Sources said experts from AIIMS and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with a representative from the World Health Organisation (WHO), will attend the meeting on the new strain, which shows alterations in the spike protein that could theoretically make it more infectious.
Out of control Covid strain forces UK flight bans
AFP/London
Around a third of England’s population has entered a Christmas lockdown.
European countries have started banning flights coming from the UK on Sunday as government in London warned that a potent new strain of the virus was “out of control”.
Following the example of the Netherlands, where a ban on all UK passenger flights came into effect on Sunday, a German government source said Berlin, too, was considering a similar move as “a serious option” for flights from both Britain and South Africa.
The Dutch ban came into effect from 6am (0500 GMT) and will last until January 1. And neighbouring Belgium also said it was suspending flight and train arrivals from Britain from midnight.
UPDATED: UK flights banned as Britain warns new virus strain out of control - International - World ahram.org.eg - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ahram.org.eg Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A child in a medical mask during a coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament that at least 60 municipalities recorded Covid-19 infections that had been caused by a new variant of the virus, the BBC reported. He informed MPs of a sharp, exponential rise in coronavirus infections across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.
Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority on Saturday night notified all the airlines flying to Israel that non-Israelis will no longer be allowed to fly to Israel from the UK because of the new mutation. The ban includes passengers on connection flights that stop in the UK.
UK emergency Covid-19 lockdown heaps pressure on Brexit trade deal talks hindustantimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hindustantimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.