‘No need to panic’ over new UK coronavirus strain: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi:  Many countries around the world announced flight bans to and from the United Kingdom after Britain issued an alert over a more-infectious mutant coronavirus strain that appeared to be “out of control” and was causing a surge in cases.

Canada joined the long list of European countries which have shut their doors to travellers from the UK ahead of the Christmas.

Amid the leading European countries which have announced restrictions include France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

In New Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called on the Central government to announce a UK flight ban immediately to safeguard India from the new coronavirus strain.

“New mutation of corona virus has emerged in UK, which is a super-spreader. I urge central govt to ban all flights from UK immediately (sic),” the Delhi chief minister tweeted.

The call came as Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on the discovery of the new strain of coronavirus in the UK that the government is alert and “there is no need to panic”.

“I would say this to all that all these imaginary situations, imaginary talks, imaginary panic… don’t involve yourself in this,” the minister said at a press conference.

The Union Health Ministry’s top advisory body was scheduled to hold a meeting today to discuss the new novel coronavirus strain that has emerged in the United Kingdom.