Boris Johnson’s trip to the country has been cancelled as well
Matt Hancock has announced that India has been added to the “red list” of countries from which most travel to the UK is banned. It comes as the country registers another record day of Covid-19 infections and deaths, and growing concerns around a new coronavirus variant that has developed there.
From 4am on 23 April, international visitors who have travelled from India in the last 10 days will not be allowed to enter the country. British or Irish passport holders and those with UK residence rights will be allowed in but must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days.
The news comes after Boris Johnson has confirmed the cancellation of his trip to India which was due to take place next Monday. The PM has confirmed he will speak to his counterpart in India online instead.
The decision has been made as a variation of the coronavirus has increased its spread around India, with its government confirming 1,620 deaths from the virus on Sunday. The country’s capital Delhi is now in lockdown.
UK health officials are investigating whether this variant spreads more easily and is able to resist the current vaccines we have in circulation.
Public Health England says 103 cases have been detected in England, with four recorded in Scotland.
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