number of new COVID-19 Cases in West Bengal doubled to 2,128 in the last 24 hours, with Kolkata alone reporting 1,090 new cases on Thursday. A huge jump was also observed in the test-positivity rate. The weekly test-positivity rate for Kolkata rose to 12.5 per cent, according to data shared by the state’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. West Bengal’s test-positivity rate has increased to 5.47 percent.
Amidst the sudden spurt in the cases of Kovid-19 in the state omicron The West Bengal government on Thursday decided to suspend all direct flights from the United Kingdom from January 3.
A government notification said, “… In view of the increasing number of cases of omicron cases globally and within the country, the state government has decided to temporarily suspend all direct flights from the United Kingdom to Kolkata with effect from January 3. has decided.”
The notification states that flights from “at risk” countries will not be allowed to land in the state. “Further, from January 3, all passengers arriving via international flights to West Bengal from other ‘non-risk’ countries will have to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test on arrival,” it added.
“Airlines will randomly select 10 per cent passengers for RT-PCR test and the remaining 90 per cent will undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on arrival at the airport. Those found positive in the rapid antigen test will have to undergo further RT-PCR test. Also, all passengers will have to mandatorily pre-book before boarding to reduce the waiting time on arrival, which airlines will have to ensure before allowing boarding,” said a health department official.
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