China suspends special flights from India

Beijing, (Hindustan Times), 05 November 2020 - China on Thursday indefinitely suspended air travel from India, barring non-Chinese flyers to return to the country, following a spike in Covid-19 cases in last week’s Vande Bharat Mission (VBM).  

Beijing made similar announcements to bar entry of non-Chinese visitors from Britain, Belgium and the Philippines and demanded travellers from the United States, France and Germany present results of additional health tests as it guards itself against a resurgence in coronavirus cases rising around the world.  The new suspension order is a partial reversal of an easing on September 28, when Beijing allowed all foreigners with valid residence permits to enter.  

China had banned entry of foreigners in response to the epidemic at the end of March.  

Officials in Beijing say more than 1,500 Indians had registered to return to China; Beijing’s new announcement makes their return to China uncertain.  

Chinese Foreign Ministry defended the decision, saying it was a “reasonable and fair” measure to tackle the pandemic.