Days after Hong Kong banned Air India flights from landing on its airport, Poland has also put India in the black list for air service because of its rising COVID-19 numbers. Currently, there were no flights operating between Poland and India. In a decision on Friday, the government of Poland announced restoration of air service with Russia, as well as few other countries, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a decree, partially published by the Polish Press Agency, besides Russia, China, Gabon, Singapore, Serbia, and Sao Tome and Principe will also be removed from the black list, the report says,
At the same time, Poland extends the black list of countries with suspended air service; the number of states in the list grows from 44 to 63. Among those countries are Albania, Belgium, Venezuela, Gibraltar, India, Spain, Libya, Lebanon, Malta, Monaco, Namibia, Paraguay, Romania and the US.
The current no-fly regulation is valid until August 25 and covers 44 countries. The new decree is supposed to stay in force between August 26 and September 8. The band does not cover flights, conducted with the Polish Prime Minister’s consent. It also does not cover military flights.
“Due to the risk of spreading SARS CoV-2 virus infections, it is necessary to exercise the right to introduce air traffic bans. This is needed for the safety of the Republic of Poland, in order to minimize the threat to public health. The current regulation of the Council of Ministers of August 11, 2020, on air traffic bans will expire at the end of August 25, 2020. Due to the announcement of an epidemic in the Republic of Poland, it is necessary to introduce air traffic bans in relation to international flights after the above date,” says the legislation.
On June 17, Poland withdrew the total ban on international air service with the EU countries and a number of other directions. On July 2, Poland’s largest carrier LOT restored service with Canada, Japan and a number of Asian countries. The list of nations with suspended air service is being updated regularly.
Added to the list of banned countries and territories would be: Aruba, Belize, Venezuela, Gibraltar, Monaco, Belgium, Spain, Libya, French Polynesia, Albania, the Philippines, Gambia, India, Lebanon, Malta, Namibia, Paraguay, San Marino, Romania, Sint Maarten, Guam, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Faroe Islands.