Canada Extends Ban On Direct Flights From India Over Concerns Of Covid Infection In South Asia

New Delhi: Even as countries globally have started lifting travel restrictions, Canada remains jittery and extended its ban on direct flights from India till September 21 due to risks posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to news agency ANI.

What does it mean for travellers?

Canada decided to extend the ban on direct passenger flights from India until September 21 in view of the South Asian country’s enduring struggles to contain the spread of Covid-19 within its borders, Transport Canada said.

“Based on the latest public health advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada is extending the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India until September 21, 2021, at 23:59 EDT,” the department said in a statement.

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Initially, the ban was imposed on April 22 and got extended on several occasions. This time the ban has been extended for the fifth time. The ban was set to expire on August 21, but will now remain in place till September 21.

Meanwhile, other countries such as Dubai has lifted restrictions to travel from India. Dubai residence visa holders can travel from India to Dubai if they have the necessary approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and can produce negative Covid test results.

However, travellers have to fulfil two requirements for travelling to India. As per the Khaleej Times report, the vaccination status will not be taken into account by airline representatives at check-in counters.  

The GDRFA is a government entity that regulates the entry and exit of international travellers from Dubai as well as the residency of foreign nationals in the city.

The United Kingdom has recently moved India from its high-alert ‘red list’ to the medium-risk ‘amber list’ . The latest travel advisory by the UK government will put people travelling from India to the United Kingdom at relative ease than before and fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be obligated to undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine rule.