Update: The Indian aviation authority announced that all domestic and international commercial passenger operations will remain suspended untill May 3.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released a statement saying "all scheduled international passenger services to India shall remain closed till 1830 hrs GMT of May 3, 2020."

However, the restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operation and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

Lockdown extended

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation earlier this morning. The lockdown, which began on March 25, is now extended nationwide for another three weeks, till May 3.

The decision comes after the Indian PM held a video conference with 13 chief ministers on Saturday to discuss the pandemic situation.

"Till April 20, each district, each state will be monitored closely to see whether the lockdown is being followed. Then we can decide on relaxing the restrictions," said Modi.

Some essential activities would be allowed in areas which showed improvement after April 20, the prime minister added.

The Indian health ministry announced earlier this morning that the COVID-19 count crossed the 10,000-mark in the country, with more than 300 deaths.

Repatriation of Indians from UAE and elsewhere

Meanwhile, on April 13, the Indian Supreme Court said to expect country's border to remain closed for another four weeks.

All petitions brought before the apex court, which sought directions or orders to “bring back Indians stranded in various countries abroad”, have been deferred for a month.

India's top court announced its decision reportedly in response to a petition from non-resident Indians in the Gulf region. The expats were seeking evacuation in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court's judgment gains significance for expats in the UAE as it is currently envisaging options to re-evaluate labour relations with countries not responding to evacuation requests, in the wake of the pandemic.

The extended nationwide lockdown and the court's judgment have dashed any remaining hopes that India will send repatriation flights after April 14.

All expats in the UAE and elsewhere, seeking to return home due to lost jobs or closed businesses, will have to wait hopefully for some reprieve from New Delhi.

(Reporting by Mily Chakrabarty; editing by Seban Scaria)

mily.chakrabarty@refinitiv.com

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