All direct flights originating from United Kingdom West Bengal has been suspended since January 3, the state government announced in an official statement on Sunday.
This comes amid rising cases coronavirus in the state.
West Bengal reported 4,512 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday. This takes the state’s active caseload to 13,300, the third highest in the country after Maharashtra and Kerala.
The announcement was made along with other COVID restrictions which include closure of all educational institutions, gyms, swimming pools and beauty salons.
On the airport front, all passengers arriving in West Bengal on international flights from other non-risk countries have to mandatorily undergo a COVID test on arrival at their own cost.
Airlines will randomly select 10% of passengers for COVID RT-PCR test and the remaining 90% passengers will undergo rapid antigen test on arrival.
If the incoming passengers test positive in the antigen test, they will have to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test as per the guidelines issued by the government.
Passengers can pre-book the COVID test before boarding to reduce the waiting time on arrival.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had spoken about the highest number of omicron cases being detected in flights from the UK and expressed concern.
“It is a fact that Omicron carriers are coming through international flights. The Center should decide to ban flights from countries where Omicron cases are high,” he said.
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