Singapore and the United Arab Emirates will bar most flights from India because of the deteriorating coronavirus situation in the South Asian nation.
From Saturday, all long-term pass holders as well as short-term visitors, who have been in India for the last 14 days, will not be allowed into Singapore or to transit through the city-state, the health ministry said.
All passengers from India who haven’t finished their 14-day quarantine by Thursday will need to complete an extra seven-day isolation at dedicated facilities, instead of their homes, according to the statement.
The UAE said it’ll halt flights from India starting from April 24 for 10 days, while cargo flights will be exempted, according to state-run WAM news agency. The suspension can be renewed. The UAE is home to Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai and Air Arabia.
The worsening pandemic in India has also prompted travel restrictions in several countries. Australia will cut flights from India to reduce Covid risk, Indian news channel NDTV said in a tweet.
The U.K. added India to its travel ban list April 20, and earlier this month New Zealand temporarily suspended arrivals of its citizens and residents from India. Hong Kong banned flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines for 14 days starting April 20, while Macau has extended the quarantine requirement for travelers from those three countries to 28 days.
India posted the world’s biggest one-day jump in coronavirus cases ever as a ferocious new wave grips the country, overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums and prompting frantic cries for help on social media. The nation reported 314,835 new infections Thursday, topping a peak of 314,312 recorded in the U.S. on Dec. 21.
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