In what has come as a disappointment to Indian travellers, Hong Kong has implemented a ban on Air India flights from New Delhi once again. This is the fifth ban that the national carrier has received from Hong Kong. The ban will be effective from November 20 to December 3. The move came after several passengers on Air India flights to Hong Kong were tested COVID-positive on their arrival in the country. Over the last few days, the number of coronavirus cases has been on a surge in India.

&ldquoAir India has been barred from operating between Delhi and Hong Kong from November 20 till December 3, 2020. Air India does not have any flight scheduled to Hong Kong during this period. Air India has always been adhering to all the mandatory safety protocols for its flights operating to any international or domestic destination,&rdquo and Air India official stated in an official statement released by the airline

Earlier this year, Hong Kong had banned Air India flights from New Delhi in the months of August, September and October as a result of rising cases of coronavirus in India. These bans were implemented from August 18-31, September 20-October 3 and October 17-20. Even flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong were banned between October 28 and November 10.

According to COVID protocols being followed by Hong Kong, every international passenger is required to go through a COVID-19 test on landing. This is the fifth ban from Hong Kong, which has come as a result of some of the passengers testing positive for the deadly virus.

The country is allowing only those passengers to land who can present a COVID-negative certificate of a test that has been conducted within 72 hours before the day of flying.