New Delhi:
The government is fully alert about the new strain of coronavirus reported in the UK, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today, stressing that “there is no need to panic.” Canada, Saudi Arabia and several European countries have temporarily banned flights from the UK for the new strain of the virus, which is believed to be 70 percent more infectious.
“Right now, I would say, don’t bother with imaginary situations, imaginary conversations, and imaginary panic. The government is fully alert. In the last year, as everyone has seen, we have taken all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the people. If you ask me, there is no reason to panic, “the Health Minister told reporters this afternoon at the Indian Science Festival. He was responding to a question about whether India plans to impose a travel ban on the UK.
His comments came shortly after Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the government in a tweet: “A new corona virus mutation has emerged in the UK, which is a super-spreader. I urge the central government to ban all flights from the UK immediately. ”
The mutant virus was first detected in south-east England in September. It is fast becoming the dominant strain in London and other parts of the UK, and has led to an increase in the number of infections and new restrictions, casting a cloud over the Christmas celebrations.
On Sunday, British Health Secretary Matt had said that “the new variant is out of control”. However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “there is no evidence that it causes a more serious disease.”
Outside Great Britain, Italy has reported a patient, who had recently returned from the UK, infected with the mutant virus.
European Union experts believe existing coronavirus vaccines are effective against the rapidly spreading new strain identified in Britain, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Sunday.
reported the AFP news agency.
.
