US Imposes Travel Ban On India To Limit COVID Spread; Students, Journalists Exempted

The United States (US) has imposed a new travel ban on India following the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, limiting most US citizens from entering the country.

US President Joe Biden announces new travel restrictions on India, which take effect on Tuesday, May 4.

According to the statement by the White House, “These restrictions by the US were imposed because the magnitude and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic in India was surging.”

On Friday, Biden had signed a proclamation implementing the restrictions.

The proclamation said, “India accounts for over one-third of new global cases” and added that “proactive measures are required to protect the nation’s public health from travellers entering the United States from India.”

Earlier, India had been added to the “red list” of countries from which most travel to the United Kingdom (UK) is banned amidst concerns about the deadly COVID-19 outbreak across the country.

The British Naz Shah had said that India should have been placed on the red list much earlier. The decision was only put off because Boris Johnson was hoping to avoid cancelling his travel to India.

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On the other hand, India extended the ongoing suspension on international commercial flight operation till May 31, 2021. However, international flights under special air travel bubble arrangements will continue.

“In partial modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the above subject… regarding scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs IST of 31st May 2021,” the circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

India: COVID-19 Deaths and Total Cases

India has reported more than 300,000 new cases daily for nine consecutive days, hitting another global record of 386,452 on Friday.

Total deaths have exceeded 200,000 and cases around 19 million cases are so far reported due to “super-spreader” events such as political rallies and religious festivals.

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