FLIGHTS from India have continued to land in England nearly a month after the country was placed on the UK Government’s “red list”, it has emerged.

As cases of the Indian Covid-19 variant surge, three flights from Mumbai and Delhi landed at Heathrow yesterday morning.

While most of Scotland has moved to level 2 coronavirus restrictions, Glasgow remains in level 3 due to an increase in cases – believed to be linked to the Indian variant of the virus. 

Across England the variant has gone from 2% of all cases to 20% in less than a month – with fears it may become the dominant strain.

According to The Mirror, sources say flights taking off from the Indian cities have been “busy” in recent days.

READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: 'Up to 30' cases of Indian variant of coronavirus detected

Under the Tory government’s rules only British and Irish citizens, and people with residence rights in the UK are allowed to enter England if they have travelled through India.

According to the latest Test and Trace figures, 48 people – nearly half of those who tested positive for Covid after flying from India – were found to have variants of concern or variants under investigation between April 22 and May 5.

Despite this planes from India have continued flying in. Research from the tracking service FlightRadar24 found three planes landed yesterday – BA138, A161 and VS355 all touched down just yesterday morning.

During the afternoon an Air India 787 Dreamliner landed from Mumbai, while further planes are set to land today.

Direct flights from red list countries were originally supposed to be banned – but the Department for Transport decided not to stop them from India when the country was placed on the list.

On April 19 a press release from the department said flights will continue to be allowed, but “passengers are advised to check their travel plans” before heading on their journey.

READ MORE: New data suggests vaccine works against Indian variant of coronavirus

The other red list countries from which direct flights continue are Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kenya.

Labour’s shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds commented: "The confusion over the banned flights list and the red list of countries is just another example of the utter mess the Conservatives have made of protecting our borders.”

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: “There are a small number of reasons why people may need to travel to India still, even when it is on the red list.

“We wouldn't expect any substantial numbers to be travelling.”

When passengers coming from India arrive in the UK they have to quarantine for 10 days at an official hotel and pay £1750.

Passengers from red, amber and green list countries must complete a passenger locator form and take a Covid-19 test before travelling. Passengers are also required to book Covid tests to take after arriving.