Highlights
- India extends ban on international flights till December 31
- Ban will not apply to Air India flights operating as part of the Vande Bharat Mission
- International scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes
"The Government has decided to extend the suspension on the Scheduled International Commercial Passenger Services to \/from India up to 2359 hours IST of 31st December,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
As per the extended travel ban issued by the country’s aviation regulator, the restrictions will not impact international cargo operations and the flights specifically approved by DGCA.
The extension of the ban came as the country recorded nearly 44,500 new infections and 524 deaths on Thursday, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 9.5 million and the death toll to nearly 138,500.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a circular last week stating “This restriction shall not apply to all international cargo and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.”
COVID-19 Statistics Source: Google Stats
"However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis."
As of now, India’s civil aviation ministry has entered into ‘air bubble’ agreements with several countries, including the US, France, Germany, and Kuwait that would allow aircraft to fly between countries in a regulated environment. However, the regular scheduled international flights continue to remain banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ban on scheduled international flights was imposed earlier in March this year due to COVID-19 outbreak, as travel restrictions were imposed across the world.
All this while, India has been operating special evacuation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission in several countries since May 7.
Where does this leave Australia?
Since July, India’s civil aviation ministry has entered into ‘air bubble’ agreements with 21 countries allowing aircraft to fly between India and these countries in a regulated environment.
The Indian government has also claimed it is negotiating similar arrangements with 13 more countries, including Australia, a development that has not yet been confirmed by the authorities here in Australia.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
