UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, US, UK, Canada ban India flights amid COVID surge: What happens next?

UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, US, UK, Canada ban India flights amid COVID surge: What happens next?

Dubai: A growing number of countries are blocking flights from India as the country continues to report a record number of daily infections, hit hard by the second wave of the COVID-19 virus. Most recently, Kuwait's directorate general of civil aviation said it had suspended all direct commercial flights coming from India, effective April 24 and until further notice. Prior to that, UAE announced the suspension of all inbound flights for national and international carriers coming from India for a period of 10 days that can be extended. While countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, UAE, Indonesia, Kuwait and Australia have banned flights from India. France has imposed mandatory quarantine for Indian passengers and the United States' Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised against travel to India. Daily cases in India have gone past the 300, 000 mark and industry experts are doubtful that the flight bans will be lifted soon. 1) Australia: Prime Minister Scott Morrison said flights from India will be scaled back by 30 per cent. He said India was now a "high risk" country and only those with the most urgent needs would be allowed to travel to and from India.