Bangladesh yet to decide on flight cancellation with UK

While several countries already cancelled flights with the United Kingdom in the wake of a new strain of Covid-19, Bangladesh is yet to make a decision on flight cancellation.

On Tuesday, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mohibul Haque assured that steps regarding the air communication between Bangladesh and UK will be taken after measuring the situation.

"We are delved into this matter. But no decision has been made yet. Actions will be taken after understanding the situation," he told reporters at the secretariat. 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights as the second wave began.

When asked what will happen to Bangladeshis who want to go to Saudi Arabia, the aviation secretary said, "We constantly communicated with the Saudi government. Those who were waiting for their tickets to be cancelled will get priority when the flight resumes,” adding that there was nothing to worry about.

A number of countries have already announced a travel ban with the UK after the British government admitted on Sunday that a new strain of coronavirus started to spread. Several other countries are considering following similar strides.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier said that scientists have discovered the new strain of the virus in the south of England. 

Experts said that the new strain of the virus is spreading at 70 percent faster than any other strain before.