The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe has thrown movement of lakhs of travelers off gear. This has not only impacted pleasure trips of tourists but also business travel resulting in monetary losses worth millions.
In wake of numerous advisories against travel, the travel industry, particularly the aviation sector, has also get badly impacted. Not only traffic on their once popular routes have plummeted but several have to cancel flights to destinations in China and few other South and East Asian countries to prevent becoming carrier of the contagious virus.
According to MakeMyTrip flight bookings for Southeast Asian countries have been significantly impacted but sectors in But US and Europe are only seeing a marginal dip.
More than 95,000 people in 86 countries have been infected with the virus and more than 3,200 people have died. In India so far 31 persons have tested positive for the virus.
So the situation across the globe remains grim with only positives coming from China where fresh infections of COVID-19 has reduced. But does that make travel safer? And what if you still need to travel...are there enough flights available or whether the ticket you procured protects against any unforeseen cancellations?
Here is the situation as it exists :
International flights by domestic carriers:
*Air India and Indigo that run long haul flights have cancelled their flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai and the restrictions may well run into June
*SpicejJet has cancelled Delhi Hong Kong flights till March 28
*Vistara Airlines has cancelled around 54 flights to and from Bangkok and Singapore.
*GoAir suspends flight operations to Dammam, Saudi Arabia after an advisory issued by the Saudi government to not allow non-Saudi residents to enter. It has also suspended flights to Thailand
International flights by global airlines:
*Almost all major airlines operating out of India have suspended flights to China, Korea, Iran, Italy and some to Japan.
*European and American connections provide by airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, United Airlines from India continues
*JAL is still operating its service to Japan from India
*United, Air Canada, JetBlue, Alaska, American Airlines, Delta, Brutus Airways have suspended flights to China and reduced operations in countries with high Coronavirus infections such as Italy
Domestic airlines:
There have been no restrictions on domestic travel, so far.
What advisories have been issued by authorities that can affect your travel plan :
*From March 9 midnight all air travellers having visited or arriving from Italy and South Korea will require to submit a certificate of having tested nagative from health authorities -designated lab in their countries for Coronavirus at the departure.
*India has also suspended most visas issued to nationals of Japan, South Korea, Italy, Iran and China, as well as suspending visas of any travellers who had been to those five countries since February.
*It has now been decided that all incoming international passengers must declare their travel history to health and immigrations officials at India's airports.
*Arrivals from DGCA list of 12 countries undergo thermal screening, passengers with high temperature taken to quantantine
*Screening to be carried out at 21 airports across the country
*Regular (sticker) visa/e-visa granted to nationals of People's Republic of China, issued on or before February 5, 2020 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force.
*Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate," the advisory said.
*An advisory had also directed passengers arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan to undergo medical screening at the port of entry
Travel Insurance :
*All Indian carriers are offering full refund or bookings to alternate destinations for flights that were booked earlier but are getting cancelled due Coronavirus scare.
*GoAir stated that people have the option of availing a full refund or utilising the booking amount for any future travel with the airline.
*In a travel advisory, Emirates has stated that those wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia will have to contact the Emirates office or their travel agent for refunds.
*Others travellers having expensive insurance cover may get full refunds by the insurance companies if they have included everything under coverage.
*But a larger number of insurers do not provide travel insurance against any pandemics outright. Moreover, any travel plan made now may not get covered for can cancellations due to Coronavirus.
Comments
WE ARE CELEBRATING TIPPU JAYANTHI TO Learn the world between freedom fighter (TIPPU) and Betrayers(RSS)
thats it
Sanghi Court Nyayamoorthy...Nyaya Moorthiyagiye ulidide
nor was shivaji but they celebrate...
RSS and BJP dont want to celebarate bcoz they were helping british rule and tippu SULTAN fought with thm which this rss didnt like bcoz they needed british rule bcoz they used to get everything frm the british.. from tippu they didnt got anything thtz y they hate him we all INDIAN respect APJ ABDUL KALAM he was the great president of INDIA himself said tippu SULTAN first person to bring missile technology to INDIA
commet #3 i agree with
commet #4 awesome lines said by TIPPU SULTAN SHER -E- HINDUSTAN
JAI HIND
For 100% sure this so called Chief justice of Karnataka High court is a agent of RSS. Let him to study the history first before commenting on Tippu sultan.
No Tipu was a cricket player. ROFL .... High court's lowest comment ever.
Very good high court.
The chief Justice should talk carefully.
He says Tippu fought his opponents to safeguard his interest.
- The CJ should know every ruler should safeguard his interest which is to protect his state.
- The CJ should also think, how many Kings in our state or Indian history who fought in the battle front and did the ultimate sacrifice.
- He was the great God fearing King, who started awareness of freedom and fought wars. He laid the foundation for freedom.
- Our people thought it is impossible to fight against British,
- But he is the King who taught to sacrifice for the state/country and he taught DYING ONCE AS MARTYR IS BETTER THAN LIVING IN SLAVERY FOR 100 YEARS.
- It is taught as SHER JAISA EK DIN DA ZINDAKI SAU SAL GEEDAD KA ZINDAGI SE BEHATTAR HAI.
- This CJ is from Bengal, he does not know history of Karnataka.
WE ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM. TO EAT TO DRESS TO LIVE.
WE ARE ALL FREEDOM FIGHTERS AGAINST BJP RSS SANG PARIVAR.
He had a high court during his time. All non BJP ARE FREEDOM FIGHTER now. We all need FREEDOM FROM BJP.
Now we know RSS are the freedom fighters....good luck...
For your information Tippu is the one who fought for our freedom from British rule...he gave up his soul for that purpose....but these RSS just helped british to stay here.
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