India extends suspension on scheduled int'l flights till Jan 31, air bubble flights to continue

India today extended suspension of scheduled international passenger flights due to Covid-19 pandemic till January 31 amidst global concerns over Omicron.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), however, said the flights under air bubble agreement would continue as usual, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Earlier, the DGCA had decided not to resume regular international flights from December 15, less than a week after announcing the date, in the wake of rising concerns over Omicron.

Meanwhile, India has taken Singapore off the list of "at-risk" countries for more stringent health protocols for international air travellers. Bangladesh was the first country to be taken off that list.

Also, Indian government today asked the states and union territories to ensure adequate buffer stock of eight critical drugs used for treating Covid-19 and advised them to review the readiness of hospitals to deal with any possible surge in cases.

Reviewing the public health preparedness for the new Covid variant and the progress of vaccination, Indian Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan urged the states and union territories to ensure all health facilities have functional ventilators, oxygen plants and oxygen concentrators.