Final Flight From India Touches Down In UK

COVID-19 test

In the last few hours India has joined the UK’s travel “red list” with all travel between the two nations now effectively banned.

COVID-19 continues to claim lives around the world

The move by the UK government in London came about after never before seen rates of infection across India saw a leap in virus related death tolls as well as the revelation that a new virus variant was adding to the deaths.

Reports from India now indicate that the medical system in many major cities is struggling to cope with the sheer volume of COVID related admissions, with oxygen supplies and ventilators in short supply.

The variant has even made its way to the UK with Public Health England (PHE) confirming yesterday that 55 more cases of the ‘India variant’ have been confirmed in England.

It is understood the variant is potentially more infectious although whether or not it is more deadly is as of yet not known.

In the run up to the deadline earlier today multiple airlines had requested slots at London airports – presumed to be Gatwick and Heathrow – to allow for extra flights as people tried to make their way to the UK ahead of the ban.

All, from Delhi and Mumbai, were refused.

Lisa Conklin

Lisa is an Eastender from London in her second year in Taipei where she teaches English, and in her spare time writes poetry. She is a practicing vegan and lover of yoga who lives 'off-grid' as much as possible. She is our weekend editor.