Two air passengers from the UK tested positive for COVID19 after their arrival at the Kolkata Airport.
The news was confirmed by health department officials on Tuesday.
A media report quoted officials as saying that a flight carrying 222 passengers from the UK landed at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata on Sunday night.
“Twenty-five passengers did not have COVID-19 reports with them. So they were taken to a nearby quarantine centre, and their coronavirus tests were conducted. Two tested positive,” the report quoted an official of the West Bengal Health and Family Welfare department as saying.
Also read: India cancels flights from UK amidst fear of mutant coronavirus strain
India has suspended all flights to the UK following concern over the new strain of COVID19 that is supposed to be 70% more transmissible.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation in a statement said considering the prevailing situation in the UK, the Indian government decided to suspend all flights originating from the country to India till 11:59 pm on December 31.
Besides, air passengers coming from the UK till Tuesday midnight would be tested for COVID19 on arrival at airports “as a measure of abundant precaution”.
According to COVID19 protocols, all international passengers arriving in India will have to remain in isolation for seven days.