The suspension of carriage of passengers from India to the UAE on flights has been extended, travel agents have been informed.
This came as India set another world record in new Covid-19 cases on Thursday with 379,257 new infections.
In a circular, Emirates Airline informed agents that the suspension will be in place until May 14.
Multiple travel agents within the UAE confirmed receiving the circular.
Passengers who’ve transited through India within the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.
Earlier, all flights from India to the UAE had been suspended for 10 days from 11.59 pm on April 24.
Cargo flights between the 2 nations are not affected.
UAE nationals and diplomatic missions between the 2 nations, official delegations, businessmen’s planes, and Golden Visa holders were excluded from the decision. Those exempted are required to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
They also have to take PCR tests for Covid on the fourth and eighth days of entry.
India now has reported more than 18.3 million cases, second only to the US. The health ministry also reported 3,645 deaths in 24 hours, bringing the total to 204,832. Experts believe both figures are an undercount, but it’s unclear by how much.
India has set a daily global record for seven of the past eight days, with a seven-day moving average of nearly 350,000 infections. Everyday deaths have nearly tripled in the past three weeks, reflecting the intensity of the latest surge. And the nation’s already teetering health system is under immense strain, prompting multiple allies to send help.
