New Delhi (TIP): The Centre has formally put on hold the resumption of scheduled international flights from December 15 in view of the global spread of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

Several countries have imposed travel bans on people who have visited countries with confirmed cases of the VOC, with some even shutting their borders to all foreign arrivals. India has instituted a mandatory test-on-arrival and seven-day home quarantine for people coming in from 12 regions, including all of Europe.

“In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders. An appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course,” read a circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday, December 11.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi first suggested the government reconsider the December 15 reopening when he held a meeting to review the threat from Omicron on Saturday.

The DGCA decision effectively means that international flights under the air transport bubble agreement will continue for now. India has signed air transport bubble pacts with 31 countries. On November 30, 536 international flights were operated — this is around 44 per cent of the capacity in 2019’s winter schedule.

Last week, the DGCA had announced resumption of scheduled international flights in a graded fashion, based on Covid transmission risk. Scheduled flights were suspended last March and

have since been replaced with flights under the air transport bubble arrangement.

The World Health Organisation on Friday classified Omicron as a VOC after initial analysis showed it to carry an unusually large number of mutations, which could make it more resistant, more virulent (leading to severe disease), and perhaps more transmissible. Scientists in several parts of the world are carrying out tests and monitoring epidemic trends, especially in South Africa where most of the cases have been found, to establish if this is indeed the case. The VOC designation came on the day India said it will allow the full schedule of regular international flights to resume with all countries considered “not at risk” from December 15.

The decision to put scheduled international flights in abeyance follows Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s meeting with top officials on Saturday to review health preparedness in view of the Omicron threat.

Apart from increased surveillance and the need to increase the second dosing of the Covid vaccine, the PM had asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions.