Isolation and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 VOC, 20H/501Y.V2, from UAE travelers

Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have been emerged and created serious public health in the affected countries. The variant of Concern associated with high transmissibility, disease severity and escape mutations is threat to vaccination program across the globe. Travel has been important factor in spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants worldwide. India has also witnessed the dreadful effect of these SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we report the Isolation and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 VOC, 20H/501Y.V2 (B.1.351), from UAE travelers to India. The virus isolate would be useful to determine the efficacy of the currently available vaccines in India.