The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced new guidelines related to travel with mew relaxations for the next phase of lockdown. As India enters October, Unlock 5.0 has brought many new codes in relation to safeguard against Coronavirus. While the Center has allowed economic activities outside containment zones, new guidelines have been introduced by the Ministry for the safety of the people who want to travel.
International flights
International flights and travel for passengers will remain suspended till October 31, according to the new unlock guidelines. “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 is not applicable to international all-cargo and international scheduled flights.
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Interstate travel
Restrictions on interstate travel have been revoked and will remain in effect. Earlier travellers had to carry e-pass, e-permit, etc to travel but the government recently lifted the restrictions. MHA has also permitted Metro trains to resume services across the country.
According to the new guidelines, the state government cannot impose any local lockdown which does not come under the containment zones without consulting the central government.
Air Bubble arrangements
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday, in a statement, said that India has established separate bilateral air bubble arrangements with Kenya and Bhutan. This will ensure the operation of special international passenger flights between the two countries.
India has established air bubble arrangements with 15 countries including the US, UK, Canada, the UAE, Qatar, Nigeria, Maldives, Kenya, Japan, Iraq, Germany, France, Bhutan, Bahrain, and Afghanistan. This air bubble arrangement will allow airlines from both countries to fly passengers from one country to another. Make it a smooth deal.
Reopening of Cinemas
From October 15, the Home Ministry has permitted the reopening of cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, entertainment parks with 50 percent of its seating capacity whereas swimming pools will reopen for the training of sportspersons outside containment zones. Cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, entertainment parks, and swimming pools remained closed under unlock 4.0.