Covid-19: Arvind Kejriwal urges flight ban on Singapore over variants affecting children

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged the Centre to ban flight services between India and Singapore immediately.

Pointing out that the city-state has flagged new strains of the coronavirus that could affect children in India in a possible “third wave” of the pandemic, Kejriwal also said that the Centre should prioritise vaccination options for them.

सिंगापुर में आया कोरोना का नया रूप बच्चों के लिए बेहद ख़तरनाक बताया जा रहा है, भारत में ये तीसरी लहर के रूप में आ सकता है।

केंद्र सरकार से मेरी अपील:
1. सिंगापुर के साथ हवाई सेवाएं तत्काल प्रभाव से रद्द हों
2. बच्चों के लिए भी वैक्सीन के विकल्पों पर प्राथमिकता के आधार पर काम हो

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 18, 2021

On Sunday, Singapore warned its citizens of new strains of the coronavirus that were affecting more children, Reuters reported. Flagging new variants, including the B.1.167 strain that was first detected in India, authorities in Singapore have decided to shut all primary, secondary and junior colleges from May 28. The city-state is also drawing up plans to vaccinate children.

The strain appeared to affect children more, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, citing the ministry’s director of medical services Kenneth Mak. However, none of the children who have contracted the virus are seriously ill and a…

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