New Zealand is halting all flights from India amid fears passengers were contracting coronavirus on board the planes or in transit. The transfer comes after 17 new cases in abroad travelers were found in the past 24 hours, all of whom were from India. The suspension will take place from 4 pm on April 11 till April 28.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated while the temporary ban is for India, the decision behind it is not country-specific.”New Zealand isn’t immune to the virus, especially with a pandemic raging outside our borders,” Ms. Ardern stated. Ms. Ardern stated the temporary suspension of travel from India was to protect both New Zealand and the travelers themselves.
Ms. Ardern stated she was advised people are getting sick in transit to New Zealand – not necessarily on the plane itself – however in their travels to the airport and in congregating in mid-way points such as Dubai.
The PM stated she recognized the difficulty the suspension will cause for some residents attempting to return home. Earlier today it was announced a security guard had contracted coronavirus whereas working at a quarantine resort in Auckland. The nation’s Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield confirmed the man, 24, had not yet been vaccinated and travels to work in a private car with a colleague. The man had a sore throat 4 days ago and tested positive on Tuesday.
