(TAN): India has banned domestic air travel until March 31 in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, reports said.
The suspension, which takes effect from today, exempts flights carrying cargo, as per reports.
“The operations of domestic schedule commercial airlines shall cease operations effective from the midnight that is 23.59 hours IST on 24 March. Airlines have to plan operations so as to land at their destination before 2359 hours on 24 March. The restrictions shall not apply to solely cargo-carrying flights,” Money Control quoted a notification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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According to reports, the decision came from the central government after several states, including West Bengal and Bihar, requested a suspension on flights in an attempt to curb the outbreak from spreading in the world’s second-most populous country.
Meanwhile, India has already reported 562 confirmed COVID-19 cases while the world total stands at over 423,000, as per reports. Over 18,000 people have died from the infection across the globe, and 10 have died in India, reports said.
India has also banned all international flights scheduled for this week, while many of its carriers have reduced or stopped their overseas services, as per reports.
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Several other international airlines including United Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines have severely cut capacity, reports said. Air Canada is reportedly sacking over 5,000 flight attendants amid slowing demand. The United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, has suspended passenger transits through Dubai for two weeks, according to reports.
While India put a ban on rail travel and restricted bus and subway services, the entire country has been placed under a 21-day lockdown, reports said.
“I request you to remain wherever you are in this country. In view of the current situation, the lockdown shall be enforced for 21 days, which means the next 21 days are crucial for us,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quoted by CNN as saying.
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