Flights, trains to remain suspended till May 17 amid COVID lockdown

Passenger trains and flights will remain suspended till May 17, authorities informed on Saturday (May 2), after the COVID-19 lockdown was extended by two weeks even as the Centre and states are gradually relaxing norms for revival of businesses.

According to the latest guidelines issued by the Home Ministry, all rail, road, metro and inter-state movement by road is suspended. The movement of individuals by trains or other modes of transport such as buses, will only be permitted for selected purposes like the movement of stranded migrant workers, tourists, pilgrims, and students.

The Railway Ministry’s latest notification on the COVID-19 lockdown extension states that the cancellation of all Indian Railways passenger train services, including Mail/Express trains (premium trains), suburban trains, metro services has been extended till May 17, 2020. Indian Railways has also stated that people should not visit any railway station to book train tickets.

However, special trains will be operated for the movement of migrant workers, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places. These special ‘Shramik trains’ will operate from point to point, as required by the state governments. Only those passengers who have been authorized by the state governments will be allowed to enter the railway stations to board the train.

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Before bringing the passengers to the station, screening test will be conducted by the state government and only those found asymptomatic will be allowed to travel. The very first Shramik special train, carrying 1225 workers left from Lingampalli in Telangana and reached Hatia in Jharkhand on May 1, 2020. The Shramik special trains provide hygienic food to the passengers and maintain social distancing within the train coaches.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also stated that all commercial flights will remain suspended till May 17 due to the extension of the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. In due course of time, the opening of foreign and domestic airlines will be notified whether they are international routes to or from India, or the domestic routes. Even though commercial flights have been suspended, the cargo, medical, evacuation, and special flights will be allowed to operated by the DGCA.