India and COVID-19 an Update - X

India's COVID-19 tally has surpassed 5.6 million i.e. 56, 46,011 today. However 45, 87,613 people have recovered which is above 81% of the total cases and the largest no. in the world. Active cases are merely around 17% viz. 9, 68,377 which shows the decrease in active no. of cases from past week. The fatality rate has further decreased to 1.59% with 90,021.

It seems India will witness the flatten curve very soon as for the first time there is sharp decrease in active no. of cases. Continuing the positive recovery trend, India for the fifth consecutive day recorded more daily recoveries than the number of fresh cases ? in the same span of time. The change in the trend started from September 19. When the number of recoveries surpass the number of active cases, it is considered as an indication of “flattening the curve” worldwide. But the trend has to go on for a number of days before it can be said that the curve has been flattened.

COVID & TRAVEL ? MoCA to implement RT-PCR Test for International passengers at entry airport on pilot basis - Union Civil Aviation Minister has said that the government will introduce RT-PCR test on a pilot basis at the entry airports in the country. The government has also come up with guidelines for such testing of international passengers. A waiting lounge should be located away from the operational area of the airport with adequate facilities for physical distancing, for the convenience of travellers. The passengers should be provided with facilities like Wifi, F&B options, washrooms and should provide cashless options for making payments with regard to testing and various amenities.

If the test result is negative, passengers will be permitted to exit the lounge and proceed to the departures to catch the connecting flight. However, if the result is positive, the passenger will be processed in line with applicable ICMR protocols by the state authorities.

Agra hotels set to welcome tourists as Taj reopens from September 21 - Hoteliers have started preparation for the tourists after the government decided to reopen the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort for the general public from September 21. The famed monuments, which attract people all across the world, were shut in March due to the nationwide lockdown in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charter airlines from Russia, UK apply for landing slots in Goa - The Covid-19 pandemic has done little to diminish Goa’s allure as an international tourist destination, with Russian and British charter airlines already approaching the Union ministry of civil aviation and the Airports Authority of India for permission to land in the coming months.

According to sources, Moscow’s Royal Flight and TUI have shown keen interest in bringing tourists to Goa on chartered flights beginning from October 26. “Royal Flights has requested for 169 slots from October 26 and TUI is asking for three to five slots per week,” said an official, adding that the Centre would decide on the slots. Though India has travel arrangements with a handful of countries, including UK, scheduled international flights have not been permitted.

No registration or Covid-negative certificate required to enter Himachal - Himachal Pradesh government has now allowed entry into the state without registration. Decision to this effect was taken in the cabinet meeting held in the state on Tuesday. A day later, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur, also said that the Covid-19 negative certificate will not be needed to enter the state from now onwards.