India is currently fighting an uphill battle as an unprecedented surge of coronavirus transmission brought the country to its knees. From mid-April, the second wave of the pandemic swept through the land and culminated in a record-breaking surge of 330,000 new cases on Friday (23 April) and with a death toll of 2,263 cases.
As swarms of new cases continue to wreak havoc, numerous countries across the world have little choice but to implement travel bans and restrictions to and from India in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Here is everything you need to know about the India flight ban and which countries are currently enforcing it.
Countries implementing India travel ban
Australia
While the Australian government is still in the process of finalizing its list of high-risk countries, announcements have been made regarding limiting flights from India due to the alarming surge of COVID-19 cases. Departure exceptions for Australians travelling to India and other countries deemed high-risk will also be limited.
Belgium
Belgium is now prohibiting entry to all passengers arriving from India. The ban also extends to arrivals from Brazil and South Africa by way of flights, trains, boats and buses, including transit stops. There are exemptions for transport workers and diplomats if they can prove their trip is essential. Belgian residents are also allowed to return home.
Canada
Canada on Thursday announced a 30-day ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan. All commercial and passenger flights from said countries will be temporarily grounded. Cargo flights, however, will be allowed to continue.
Italy
Italy joins the growing list of countries implementing travel bans to and from India. All foreign travellers who have been in India for the last 14 days will not be granted entry.
However, Italian citizens and those who have residency rights will be allowed to return to Italy with a negative test result at their departure and one at their arrival. Arrivals will then be required to serve quarantine.
France
France has barred flights from India in an effort to prevent the highly contagious coronavirus variant from infecting its citizens. Those eligible to enter the country from India will be required to serve a 10-day quarantine.
Hong Kong
International flights from India have been suspended. The suspension has begun on 20 April and will last for a period of two weeks (2 May). The ban has been was implemented due to the discovery of some 50 infected passengers on a Mumbai – Hong Kong flight.
Indonesia
The Indonesian government has implemented a flight ban for passengers coming from India. Furthermore, those who have been in India for the last 14 days will not be issued visas to effectively prevent foreign travellers from visiting Indonesia. However, Indonesians arriving from India will be allowed entry but are subject to strict health and quarantine protocols.
Iran
As reported by Iran’s state-run news agency, IRNA, Iran’s aviation agency has opted to ban all flights to and from India due to the unprecedented surge of coronavirus transmission.
Kuwait
As of 24 April, international flights from India are suspended indefinitely. As per the Kuwaiti directorate general of civil aviation, Kuwaiti citizens, their first-degree relatives and their domestic workers will still be allowed to enter the country.
The Maldives
Starting from 27 April, the Maldives will be temporarily suspending Indian tourists for stays at guesthouses and local hotels in residential Maldivian islands. The tourism minister of Maldives recently took to Twitter to announce the ban of Indian tourists from staying at tourist facilities in inhabited islands.
New Zealand
Entry from India is temporarily banned from 11 to 28 April. The ban extends to all travellers including citizens of New Zealand.
Oman
The Sultanate of Oman has suspended international flights from India indefinitely.
Saudi Arabia
Despite Saudi Arabia’s international flight open date set to 17 May 2021, India and a number of other countries will still be barred from entering the kingdom.
Singapore
Singapore has introduced a ban on all international flights originating from India. The step was taken due to the concern raised by the second wave of the pandemic currently sweeping through India.
All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have travelled to India within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore from April 24.
Thailand
Due to the unprecedented surge of COVID cases in India, Thailand is barring all Indians and other foreigners from entering the country. A spokesman for the Covid-19 Situation Administration stated that Thailand has postponed the process of issuing Certificates of Entry for Indian citizens and foreigners arriving from India. The document is compulsory for all people who plan to come to Thailand. Only Thai returnees from India are still allowed entry.
United Arab Emirates
The ban on international flights arriving in the UAE from India remains in effect. However, those looking to travel from the UAE to India will be permitted to do so. Those who are permitted to depart for India includes UAE citizens, diplomatic missions, official delegations, and those holding golden residency. The ban will last for 10 days until the 4th of May
Those looking to return to UAE after the suspension period is over may be surprised to learn that the airfares on Mumbai – Dubai flights may experience an increase of over 100 percent. Due to the surge in COVID cases in India, many are looking to return to the UAE as early as possible fearing the potential extension of the travel suspension currently in place. Hence, one-way airfare can go up substantially due to the limited number of seats and airlines available.
United States
The US government has issued an advisory to all its citizens to avoid travelling to India amid the recent COVID-19 surge in the country.
The CDC has brought up concerns that even fully vaccinated individuals may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to India.
United Kingdom
India has been included in the red list of countries barred from entering the UK. India’s inclusion on the red list means all travellers from India will not be granted entry unless they are citizens of the UK or have residential rights. All arrivals from India are required to serve a 10-day hotel quarantine.
