New Delhi: The Ministry of Health has recommended to the Ministry of Civil Aviation that the temporary suspension of flights originating from Britain to India be extended further by 7 January (Thursday), 2021. The recommendation has been made on the basis of input from the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) led by the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) and the National Task Force led by the Joint Director General, ICMR, and Member (Health) NITI Aayog.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also been suggested that a limited number of regular resumption of flights coming from Britain to India after 7 January 2021 be considered. The Ministry of Civil Aviation can work together to create such a system in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Union Health Secretary has written to all states to closely monitor all such programs from which a potential “super spreader” means a risk of rapid infection. It has also been asked to curb the crowd in view of the celebrations of the New Year and various events taking place in the winter season along with it.
The recently issued advice and guidance to the states by the Ministry of Home Affairs have been reiterated by the Ministry of Health. The orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the states / UTs may impose local restrictions such as night curfew to prevent the spread of Covid-19 based on the assessment of the situation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also ensured that there will be no restriction on inter-state and inter-state movement of persons and goods. Drawing this further attention, the Health Secretary has urged the states to assess the local situation immediately and consider imposing appropriate restrictions for December 30 and 31, 2020 as well as January 1, 2021.