Covid-19: Passengers from India can't fly to UAE from April 24, says notice sent to travel agents

Airlines flying to the UAE will not accept passengers from India, Khaleej Times has learnt. This is effective from 2359 hours, April 24, according to notices sent by UAE-based airlines to trade partners.

UAE suspends all flights from India

The Covid safety measure will be in place for 10 days, the notice said.

Transit passengers from India are not allowed to enter the UAE, unless they had been staying in other countries for 14 days.

Departure and cargo flights will continue to operate as usual between both countries.

UAE citizens, diplomatic missions and official delegations are exempted.

When Khaleej Times checked, we were unable to book flights from the UAE to Indian destinations after April 24 on the Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia websites.

Doctor breaks down explaining Covid-19 situation in India

This came as India recorded the world's highest daily tally of 314,835 new Covid-19 infections on Thursday as a second wave of the pandemic raised new fears about the ability of crumbling health services to cope.

At least eight countries around the world have announced travel bans and restrictions on passengers from India to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Health officials across northern and western India including the capital, New Delhi, said they were in crisis, with most hospitals full and running out of oxygen.

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Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for over ten years. For Khaleej Times, she covers NRI affairs, civil aviation, and immigration issues among other things. She completed her BA in Journalism, Economics and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008 and is currently pursuing her MA in Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media at the American University in Dubai. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves food, and is mom to an over-enthusiastic Labrador retriever. Tweet at her @shootsprintrite.