Government acts on citizen demand and imposes restriction on travel from United Kingdom

December 21, 2020, New Delhi: The Government of India just announced a ban on all flights from United Kingdom from 23:59 hrs Dec 22nd till Dec 31st in light of the new virus mutation that has been reported in London and several parts of the United Kingdom

Since the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said “the new variant may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old one.” Followed by many nations like Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium imposing a ban on the flights from UK, as a precautionary measure, citizens of India had been raising the demand for Government to impose a similar ban on flights from UK.

Basis feedback from citizens, LocalCircles initiated a survey seeking inputs from citizens. To the question in the survey that asked citizens, “A new variant of Coronavirus has been found in the UK and South Africa, which is 70% more infectious. What should be India’s approach to bubble flights arriving from such countries?” received 7,091 votes from citizens across 202 districts of India. 67% respondents were men while 33% respondents were women. 56% respondents were from tier 1, 26% from tier 2, and 18% respondents from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

Notably, 50% citizens want bubble flights from impacted countries suspended, while 41% want mandatory 14-day quarantine for arriving passengers instead. Only 6% of citizens voted that India should continue with current rules treating flights from these countries similar to others. The question received 7,091 votes from citizens

To limit the new Coronavirus strain from coming to India, 50% citizens want bubble flights from impacted countries suspended while 41% want mandatory 14 day quarantine for arriving passnegers

Basis feedback from citizens, LocalCircles escalated the findings of this survey with senior leadership of the Government of India for immediate consideration. Commenting on the flight ban, Sachin Taparia, Founder & Chairman, LocalCircles said “This is fast and decisive action on part of Government of India and citizens are appreciative of the same. India has come a long way and cases have reduced from almost 90,000 a day in September to 25,000 a day. By acting on this, India can hopefully ensure that the downward trajectory continues”, “Also, the approach of a flight ban that lasts 9 days only for now makes sense to see how the situation develops and a call for resumption or ban extension can be taken on Dec 31st ”, continued Taparia.

Survey Demographics

7000+ responses were received from citizens across 202 districts of India. 67% respondents were men while 33% respondents were women. 56% respondents were from tier 1, 26% from tier 2 and 18% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform and all participants are validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.