Highlights
- India extends ban on international flights till August 31
- Countries like Australia want limited aviation functions: Hardeep Singh Puri
- International travellers returning home can now seek exemption from institutional quarantine
As per the extended travel ban issued by the country’s aviation regulator, the restrictions will not impact international cargo operations and flights have been specifically approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
"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 August,” the DGCA said in a statement.
Australia wants limited aviation functions: Hardeep Singh Puri
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.
Minister for Civil Aviation, Hardeep Puri on Saturday said while India is keen to enter into similar agreements with more countries but planning for such bilateral flights also depends on the "capacity and willingness" of the receiving countries.
ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰੀ ਹਵਾਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਹਰਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਪੁਰੀ Source: Hardeep Singh Puri/Twitter
“Australia, for instance, said that you can bring in planes, but only carrying so many people and then only to a few places. So we recognise that (Indian) states and other countries have to plan their quarantine arrangements and their other infrastructure,” said Mr Puri.
New guidelines for international arrivals:
In a big relief for Indians stranded abroad, passengers will now be able to seek exemption from mandatory institutional quarantine, as part of new guidelines issued by the Health Ministry on Sunday that will come into effect on August 8.
Here are some key points for Indians stranded in Australia:
- All travellers should submit self-declaration form on the website at least 72 hours before travel.
- They should give an undertaking on the website that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days - 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring.
- Travellers can also seek exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative COVID test report on arrival. The test should have been conducted within 96 hours before the journey.
- Exemptions may only be granted for compelling reasons such as pregnancy, death in the family, serious illness or if you are travelling with children of the age of 10 years or less. Travellers who get exemptions will have to spend two weeks in home quarantine.
- Download Arogya Setu app before embarking on the journey. Only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the flight/ship.
- Passengers are required to wear face masks and practice personal, environmental and respiratory hygiene onboard the flight/ship.
- All passengers will be subject to thermal screening upon arrival and those found symptomatic will be immediately isolated and transferred to a medical facility.
An Indian visitor, Ramanpreet Kaur had arrived in Australia back in February to attend to her son who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Melbourne. The 42-year-old has since been stuck and unable to fly home due to a limited number of flights.
She says the new guidelines which allow travellers to seek exemption from institutional quarantine has come as a huge respite for her as she suffers from wheat allergy and has specific dietary requirements.
“I did not try booking my tickets for the first few phases of repatriation thinking about how I would survive without the availability of gluten-free food in two weeks of quarantine.
“But now I am relieved that there is an option to apply for exemption and quarantine at home which is a huge relief,” says Ms Kaur.
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.
News and information is available in 63 languages at
