Coronavirus lockdown: Flights, train services unlikely to resume after May 3
New Delhi/IBNS: Train and flight services are unlikely to resume after May 3, the period till which the second phase of lockdown in India has been announced to combat against the deadly coronavirus spread, media reports said on Sunday.
All the airlines have been told not to take bookings after May 3.
On Saturday, a Group of Ministers (GoM) during a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence expressed concern over resuming trains and flights, sources told NDTV.
A final call would be taken after the Union Health Ministry gives its inputs in this regard.
Internation, domestic flights and passenger trains were suspended last month to stem the spread of COVID-19, days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the nationwide lockdown.
In fact, hours after Air India announced booking opening on its website May 4 onwards, the Indian government strictly clarified that no decision to open domestic or international flights have been taken.
"The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations. Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government," Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 18, 2020
Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government.@MoCA_GoI @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official
The country of 1.3 billion people is presently passing through the second phase of lockdown which was initially announced by Narendra Modi on March 24 and was later extended up to May 3 by the Prime Minister with India continuing to witness a surge in Coronavirus cases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of 488 people so far and infected 14, 792 in India.
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