New Zealand has placed a temporary ban on entry of travellers from India as the second wave of COVID-19 has gripped India with cases surging at a rapid pace.
The announcement of putting a ban of entry of travellers from India was made by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday.
The temporary ban will come into effect from April 11 and will remain in force till April 28.
Notably, the ban is not only for Indian citizens. The ban also included New Zealand’s own citizens who are in India.
“I want to emphasize that while arrivals of COVID from India has prompted this measure, we are looking at how we manage high risk points of departure generally. This is not a country specific risk assessment…,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
During this time the New Zealand Government would look at risk management measures to resume travel, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern added.
Notably, India on Wednesday recorded the highest ever single-day spike in COVID-19 cases.
India posted 1,26,789 fresh COVID-19 cases, setting another grim one-day record as the county battles the second wave of infections.
India’s total COVID-19 caseload now stands at 1,29,28,574, of which 8,43,473 are active cases and 1,18,51,393 people have recovered from the virus.
India also recorded 685 COVID-19 related deaths.