Centre has extended the temporary suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom (UK) till January 7, 2021.
Informing about the extension of the suspension order, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday tweeted: “Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to & from the UK till 7 January 2021.”
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“Thereafter strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly,” he added.
Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to & from the UK till 7 January 2021.
Thereafter strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) December 30, 2020
Earlier, an order was issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on December 21, 2020 directing temporary suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom with effect from 11:59 pm of December 22, 2020 till December 31, 2020 in view of the emergence of the Covid19 situation in the UK.
In the order, the DGCA had said “no flights from United Kingdom will land in India” after 11:59 pm of December 22, 2020.
Also read: India cancels flights from UK amidst fear of mutant coronavirus strain
“The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure. Consequently, flights from India to United Kingdom shall also remain suspended. However, this restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” the order had said.
“Airlines operating flights to/from India from other countries shall not board any passenger travelling from United Kingdom to India and shall ensure that no passenger coming from United Kingdom is boarded in a flight for any destination in India either directly or indirectly,” it had said.
In the order, it was also said during the transition period i.e. up to 11:59 pm of December 22, 2020, “all passengers arriving to India from United Kingdom shall be compulsorily subjected to RT-PCR Test at the arrival port in India”.
“Passengers found Covid positive shall be quarantined as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. All medical costs incurred shall be borne by the passengers,” the order had said.
All airlines operating passenger services from the United Kingdom to India shall ensure strict compliance of above instructions and shall make an in-flight announcement in this regard, it had said.