The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday (30th Spetember) issued a new unlock 5 guidelines, in the nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on March 24, to curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.
This is the fifth set of the unlock guidelines issued by the MHA. The Unlock 5.0 guidelines will come into effect from 1 October.
Here is what the Ministry said on travel-related guidelines;
1. International Flights
The new unlock guidelines say that the International flights and travel for passengers remain suspended till October 31. “The international air travel, except those permitted by MHA, continues to remain shut,” the MHA said in the fresh order.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement mentioned that the ban will not apply to international all-cargo and international scheduled flights.
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) September 30, 2020
2. Inter-state Travel
Inter-state travel without restrictions has been permitted too and remains in effect. In the previous guidelines, the government had asked travellers to carry e-pass, e-permit, etc to travel but the government recently lifted the restrictions.
3. Metro Trains
In its earlier announcement, the MHA had allowed Metro trains to resume services across the country. Metro services were suspended in late March to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 31 lakh people in the country so far.
4. Lockdown
The new unlock 5 guidelines have not permitted states across India to impose any local lockdown which does not fall under containment zones without consulting the central government.
Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31 October
5. Air Bubble Agreement
On Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in a statement said that India has established separate bilateral air bubble arrangements with Kenya and Bhutan for the operation of special international passenger flights between the two countries.
Reaching out to stranded Indians.
In order to further boost bilateral international air connectivity Air Bubble arrangements are now in place with Kenya & Bhutan.Indian carriers will be able to operate to these countries. Carriers of these countries will be able to fly to India.— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) September 30, 2020Advertisement
India as established air bubble arrangements with 16 countries including the US, UK, Canada, the UAE, Qatar, Nigeria, Maldives, Kenya, Japan, Iraq, Germany, France, Bhutan, Bahrain, and Afghanistan. The air bubble arrangement allows airlines from both countries to fly passengers to fly from one country to another.
Apart from lifting few travel restrictions, the Ministry of Home has permitted the opening of cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, entertainment parks, and swimming pools for the training of sportspersons outside containment zones from October 15.
Cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, entertainment parks, and swimming pools were not permitted under unlock 4.0.
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