Highlights
- India has ended its lockdown. Only containment zones to remain under lockdown.
- India has however extended their ban on flight operations till June 30, 2020
- Around 1500 Indians were repatriated from Australia visa special flights in May
(This story has been updated as per Indian government's latest travel advisory)
The announcement follows the Indian government’s decision to re-open services and places amid a record spike in COVID-19 infections.
The latest travel advisory states ban on international flights operations has been extended to 2359 hours IST of June 30.
When will international flights to/from India resume?
While the flight ban has been extended by four weeks, the Civil Aviation authorities have not yet confirmed if international flights will resume thereafter.
The authorities have said the airlines will be informed in ‘due course’.
“It is reiterated that foreign airlines shall be suitably informed about the opening of their operations whether international to/from India in due course,” the official circular said.
More than 1500 Indians stuck in Australia return home on special flights
Over 1500 Indians stuck in Australia returned to India via special flights arranged by the Indian government in May.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra has announced stranded Indian nationals who could not be accommodated in the 1st phase of the Vande Bharat Mission will be considered for the second phase.
India's COVID-19 figures
How long will Australia’s borders remain closed?
Australia’s international borders remain close except for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Australians including permanent residents are banned from travelling overseas and will have to wait as no specific time frame has been given for reopening the borders.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has suggested Australia’s borders could remain closed past the end of the year and into 2021.
However, there may be an exception for New Zealand, with the government there pushing for the reopening of trans-Tasman flights and an expanding of the travel bubble to include both countries.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he is open to the idea.
“I can’t see international travel happening any time soon. The only exception, as I have flagged, is potentially with New Zealand, and we have had some good discussions about that,” he said.
Both Australia and New Zealand are doing well in flattening the curve in comparison to other countries around the world and have seen lower rates of infection and death compared to their peers.
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People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
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