Boris Johnson will still visit India despite fears over a variant first identified there

16 April 2021, 19:32

Boris Johnson's visit to India will still go ahead
Boris Johnson's visit to India will still go ahead . Picture: PA

By Harriet Whitehead

Boris Johnson's visit to India will still go ahead, despite the country having had more than 13.9 million confirmed cases.

The Prime Minister had already made modifications to his trip to India at the end of April, due to the country's worsening coronavirus situation.

He was due to spend four days there at the end of the month but decided the "bulk" of the meetings could be fitted into one day.

Public Health England (PHE) reported that 73 cases of the B.1.617 variant have been found in England, as well as four cases in Scotland, which an expert said could be a cause for concern.

The figures come from the latest update of PHE's surveillance of the distribution of different variants across the UK, based on data up to April 7.

In India, Covid-19 rates are soaring, with more than 13.9 million confirmed cases and 172,000 deaths. Nonetheless, Downing Street has insisted the visit will go ahead.

READ MORE: Labour attacks Govt's 'refusal to secure borders' for Indian Covid variant's arrival

READ MORE: 77 cases of ‘double mutant’ Covid-19 variant discovered in UK

PM ‘very confident’ in Covid vaccines amid variant concerns

Officials have currently designated it a "variant under investigation" (VUI) rather than a "variant of concern" (VOC), such as the Manaus (Brazil) or South African variants.

A No 10 spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "The Prime Minister's visit is still happening later this month.

"We have said that the programme will be slightly shorter than it will have been, and you can expect the main body of his programme to take place on Monday April 26.

READ MORE: Catching Covid-19 does not protect young people against reinfection, study finds

"As you would expect, safety is obviously important and is a priority for us on this trip, which is why we will make sure that all elements of the visit are Covid-secure."

JCVI member: Modified vaccines possible for vulnerable by October

The country is not currently on the Government's "red list" for travel, which sees people who have been in those countries in the previous 10 days refused entry to the UK.

READ MORE: Pubs, restaurants and offices must be well ventilated to halt covid spread, doctors warn

Officials said there is currently no evidence to suggest that disease from the newly identified variant is more serious than previous ones, nor is there current evidence to suggest vaccines are less likely to work against it.

It is understood that the cases detected in England are dispersed across different parts of the country and many are linked to international travel, but investigations are under way.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Labour will reportedly 'set out plans' to boost military spending

Keir Starmer will 'set out a plan to raise defence spending to 2.5%' in wake of Russian threat to target UK military facilities

King Charles III And Queen Camilla

King Charles 'planning tour of India' in latest health boost following cancer treatment

King Charles attends the Royal Variety Performance 2024

King Charles all smiles as he meets Sir Elton John on solo Royal Variety appearance

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping

West is facing its 'most serious and dangerous challenge' since World War Two, ex-general warns

Exclusive
UK prisoners could be sent to Poland after new talks.

Polish criminals languishing in UK jails could be deported from British prisons in new deal

Storm Bert is set to bring snow and heavy winds

Brits warned to stock up on food and water as Storm Bert to bring snow, heavy rain and flooding

Zelensky promises 'serious response' following Russia's use of new hypersonic missiles

Zelenskyy promises 'serious response' following Russia's use of new hypersonic missiles

Russia has said it will begin mass production on an "unstoppable" missile.

Russia to begin mass production of 'unstoppable' ballistic missile, Putin warns as Zelenskyy urges 'serious response'

The Met could lose 2,000 officers

Met Police could lose 2,000 officers as force's budget 'may be slashed by £450 million'

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor vows to appeal decision after civil jury finds he raped woman in hotel

The new advert was published this week.

Jaguar bosses hit back at ‘vile hatred and intolerance’ following new rebrand

UK prisoners could be sent to Poland after new talks.

'Detailed prison maps' leak on dark web as fears grow of jail escapes

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor raped woman in hotel, civil jury finds, as she is awarded damages

Donald Trump

Donald Trump hush money sentencing postponed as judge says president-elect can seek dismissal

Hostel at centre of 'mass methanol poisoning' offered free shots in exchange for good reviews, backpacker claims

Hostel at centre of 'mass methanol poisoning' offered free shots in exchange for good reviews, backpacker claims