New coronavirus strain in Britain: India's Republic Day plans on track

Plans to conduct the Republic Day parade, for which UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been invited as the chief guest, remain on track even as a fresh strain of the virus has hit England, leading to several nations suspending all travel links with the UK.

Sources said that planning for the Republic Day parade is on track, with several high-level meetings taking place in New Delhi to discuss arrangements for the annual event. This year, the parade is likely to see a reduced audience given the Covid crisis and social distancing norms that are still in place.

Sources in the defence ministry said there is no plan yet to disrupt the planned Republic Day parade and the event would go ahead with adequate safety measures in place. They pointed that out that other events related to the military have taken place with adequate social distancing, like the Vijay Diwas celebrations on December 16.