New Zealand announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with Australia on Saturday, with Wellington citing "multiple" outbreaks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> in the neighbouring country.

The announcement comes as a two-week lockdown begins in Sydney to contain a rapidly spreading outbreak of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kappa-delta-who-releases-greek-nomenclature-for-covid-variants-including-ones-found-in-india-388657">Delta coronavirus variant</a>.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-flags-broader-lockdown-as-delta-variant-cases-swell-394050">Sydney flags broader lockdown as Delta variant cases swell</a>

More than 80 cases have been reported so far in Australia's largest city, while a handful of community cases have also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Victoria and Queensland in recent days.

"But given the high level of transmissibility of what appears to be the Delta variant, and the fact that there are now multiple community clusters (in Australia), it is the right thing to do to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," said New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins.

Hipkins said he understood the inconvenience the pause would cause and added that New Zealand remained committed to quarantine-free travel with Australia.&nbsp;

He added that the suspension would give officials time to consider measures "to make the bubble safer, such as pre-departure testing for all flights" between the two countries.

New Zealand has previously paused the bubble arrangement five times with individual states but this is the first time it has put a blanket halt to quarantine-free travel from all of Australia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-australia-travel-bubble-faces-disruption-due-to-fresh-covid-cases-382361">New Zealand-Australia travel bubble faces disruption due to fresh Covid cases</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/australia-and-new-zealand">Both countries</a> have been among the world's most successful in containing COVID-19. New Zealand has recorded just 26 COVID-19 deaths in a population of five million, and Australia has had fewer than 1,000 deaths in a population of 25 million.&nbsp;

The trans-Tasman travel bubble opened in mid-April, more than a year after both countries closed their international borders due to the pandemic. It has been hailed as a major milestone in restarting the global travel industry.

New Zealand announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with Australia on Saturday, with Wellington citing "multiple" outbreaks of COVID-19 in the neighbouring country.

New Zealand announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with Australia on Saturday, with Wellington citing "multiple" outbreaks of COVID-19 in the neighbouring country. The announcement comes as a two-week lockdown begins in Sydney to contain a rapidly spreading outbreak of the Delta coronavirus variant. Also read | Sydney flags broader lockdown as Delta variant cases swell More than 80 cases have been reported so far in Australia's largest city, while a handful of community cases have also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Victoria and Queensland in recent days. "But given the high level of transmissibility of what appears to be the Delta variant, and the fact that there are now multiple community clusters (in Australia), it is the right thing to do to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," said New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins. Hipkins said he understood the inconvenience the pause would cause and added that New Zealand remained committed to quarantine-free travel with Australia. He added that the suspension would give officials time to consider measures "to make the bubble safer, such as pre-departure testing for all flights" between the two countries. New Zealand has previously paused the bubble arrangement five times with individual states but this is the first time it has put a blanket halt to quarantine-free travel from all of Australia. Also read | New Zealand-Australia travel bubble faces disruption due to fresh Covid cases Both countries have been among the world's most successful in containing COVID-19. New Zealand has recorded just 26 COVID-19 deaths in a population of five million, and Australia has had fewer than 1,000 deaths in a population of 25 million. The trans-Tasman travel bubble opened in mid-April, more than a year after both countries closed their international borders due to the pandemic. It has been hailed as a major milestone in restarting the global travel industry.

New Zealand suspends travel bubble with Australia

New Zealand's quarantine-free travel arrangement with Western Australia faces disruption for the second time in eight days following fresh Covid cases in Perth. A worker at a managed isolation facility in the city and two people he shares accommodation with have tested positive, authorities said.

Mark McGowan, Premier of Western Australia said the state won't go into lockdown "at this point".

However, New Zealand health ministry officials said they had conducted "rapid" assessment and had "determined scheduled direct flights from Western Australia to New Zealand should be immediately paused while a further assessment is carried out."

A flight scheduled to arrive in Auckland from Perth at 5:50am Sunday (1750 GMT Saturday) has been cancelled, but travel to other Australian states and territories is not affected.

This is a second disruption since Australia and New Zealand opened their quarantine-free travel bubble on April 18. This step came 400 days after both had closed their international borders due to the pandemic. Flights between New Zealand and Western Australia were suspended less than a week later, when the Perth and Peel regions were sent into a three-day lockdown after recording a case of community transmission on April 23.

The bubble, which followed months of negotiations between the largely coronavirus-free neighbours, was hailed as a major milestone in restarting a global travel industry that has been crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

New Zealand's tourism industry was its biggest export industry before Covid-19, with Australians accounting for about 40 percent of the international visitors.

(With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand's quarantine-free travel arrangement with Western Australia faces disruption for the second time in eight days following fresh Covid cases in Perth. A worker at a managed isolation facility in the city and two people he shares accommodation with have tested positive, authorities said.

New Zealand's quarantine-free travel arrangement with Western Australia faces disruption for the second time in eight days following fresh Covid cases in Perth. A worker at a managed isolation facility in the city and two people he shares accommodation with have tested positive, authorities said. Mark McGowan, Premier of Western Australia said the state won't go into lockdown "at this point". However, New Zealand health ministry officials said they had conducted "rapid" assessment and had "determined scheduled direct flights from Western Australia to New Zealand should be immediately paused while a further assessment is carried out." A flight scheduled to arrive in Auckland from Perth at 5:50am Sunday (1750 GMT Saturday) has been cancelled, but travel to other Australian states and territories is not affected. This is a second disruption since Australia and New Zealand opened their quarantine-free travel bubble on April 18. This step came 400 days after both had closed their international borders due to the pandemic. Flights between New Zealand and Western Australia were suspended less than a week later, when the Perth and Peel regions were sent into a three-day lockdown after recording a case of community transmission on April 23. The bubble, which followed months of negotiations between the largely coronavirus-free neighbours, was hailed as a major milestone in restarting a global travel industry that has been crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic. New Zealand's tourism industry was its biggest export industry before Covid-19, with Australians accounting for about 40 percent of the international visitors. (With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand-Australia travel bubble faces disruption due to fresh Covid cases

Singapore and Australia are discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that would allow residents to travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine, the city-state`s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Singapore is discussing with Australia the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel with priority for students and business travellers, the ministry said in a statement.

The Australian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Singapore, an Asian transportation hub, is keen to revive its travel and tourism industry. After bringing its COVID-19 infections under control, it has been unilaterally easing quarantine requirements for travellers from Australia and a handful of other countries, such as New Zealand and China.

A planned Singapore-Hong Kong air-travel bubble, which had been set to begin last November, has stalled after Hong Kong saw a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

Singapore and Australia are discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that would allow residents to travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine, the city-state`s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Singapore and Australia are discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that would allow residents to travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine, the city-state`s foreign ministry said on Sunday. Singapore is discussing with Australia the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel with priority for students and business travellers, the ministry said in a statement. The Australian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Singapore, an Asian transportation hub, is keen to revive its travel and tourism industry. After bringing its COVID-19 infections under control, it has been unilaterally easing quarantine requirements for travellers from Australia and a handful of other countries, such as New Zealand and China. A planned Singapore-Hong Kong air-travel bubble, which had been set to begin last November, has stalled after Hong Kong saw a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

Singapore says discussing possible air travel bubble with Australia

The Union Health Ministry has issued standard operating procedure (SOP) for epidemiological surveillance and response in the context of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in the United Kingdom (UK) in which it has stated that all international travellers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks will be required to declare their travel history of past 14 days and fill up the Self Declaration form to be screened for COVID-19.

"All international travellers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks will be required to declare as per existing procedure, their travel history (of past 14 days) and fill up the Self Declaration form to be screened for COVID-19," the Health Ministry stated in the SOPs issued for actions to be taken at international airports.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-strain-of-coronavirus-not-seen-in-india-so-far-government-351602" hreflang="en">New strain of coronavirus not seen in India so far: Government</a>

The SOPs further describe the activities to be undertaken at the point of entry and in the community for all international passengers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks (from November 25 to December 23, 2020). Any reference to testing in this SOP implies RT-PCR testing only.

The Health Ministry has issued SOPs separately for actions to be taken at international airports, Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and for surveillance by state governments/Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

The Health Ministry said that the respective state governments shall ensure that all passengers travelling from or transiting through airports in the UK and disembarking in India would be subjected to RT-PCR test on arrival. In the case of a positive sample, it is recommended that spike gene-based RT-PCR test should also be performed by an appropriate laboratory.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bharat-biotech-recruits-13000-volunteers-for-phase-iii-trials-of-covaxin-351568" hreflang="en">Bharat Biotech recruits 13,000 volunteers for Phase III trials of Covaxin</a>

It further said that passengers testing positive shall be isolated in an institutional facility in a separate (isolation) unit coordinated by the respective state health authorities. They would earmark specific facilities for such isolation and treatment. necessary action to send the samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune or any other appropriate lab for genomic sequencing will be initiated at the facility level.

The persons testing negative will be advised home quarantine.

Informing about the new strain of coronavirus found in the UK, the Health Ministry briefed: "A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus [variant under investigation (VUI)-20212/01] has been reported by the Government of United Kingdom (UK) to World Health Organization (WHO). This variant is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) to be more transmissible and affecting the younger population."

"This variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations. One of the most significant is an N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people," it added.

Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday had announced in the light of the new strain of coronavirus found in the UK that the flights from and to the UK stand temporarily suspended from December 23 to 31, 2020 or till further orders.

The government has also issued a direction that all the passengers coming from the UK during the intervening period from December 21 to 23, 2020 will have to undergo RT-PCR tests at the airports of arrival.&nbsp;

The Union Health Ministry has issued standard operating procedure (SOP) for epidemiological surveillance and response in the context of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in the United Kingdom (UK) in which it has stated that all international travellers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks will be required to declare their travel history of past 14 days and fill up the Self Declaration form to be screened for COVID-19.

The Union Health Ministry has issued standard operating procedure (SOP) for epidemiological surveillance and response in the context of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in the United Kingdom (UK) in which it has stated that all international travellers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks will be required to declare their travel history of past 14 days and fill up the Self Declaration form to be screened for COVID-19. "All international travellers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks will be required to declare as per existing procedure, their travel history (of past 14 days) and fill up the Self Declaration form to be screened for COVID-19," the Health Ministry stated in the SOPs issued for actions to be taken at international airports. Also read| New strain of coronavirus not seen in India so far: Government The SOPs further describe the activities to be undertaken at the point of entry and in the community for all international passengers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks (from November 25 to December 23, 2020). Any reference to testing in this SOP implies RT-PCR testing only. The Health Ministry has issued SOPs separately for actions to be taken at international airports, Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and for surveillance by state governments/Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). The Health Ministry said that the respective state governments shall ensure that all passengers travelling from or transiting through airports in the UK and disembarking in India would be subjected to RT-PCR test on arrival. In the case of a positive sample, it is recommended that spike gene-based RT-PCR test should also be performed by an appropriate laboratory. Also read| Bharat Biotech recruits 13,000 volunteers for Phase III trials of Covaxin It further said that passengers testing positive shall be isolated in an institutional facility in a separate (isolation) unit coordinated by the respective state health authorities. They would earmark specific facilities for such isolation and treatment. necessary action to send the samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune or any other appropriate lab for genomic sequencing will be initiated at the facility level. The persons testing negative will be advised home quarantine. Informing about the new strain of coronavirus found in the UK, the Health Ministry briefed: "A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus [variant under investigation (VUI)-20212/01] has been reported by the Government of United Kingdom (UK) to World Health Organization (WHO). This variant is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) to be more transmissible and affecting the younger population." "This variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations. One of the most significant is an N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people," it added. Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday had announced in the light of the new strain of coronavirus found in the UK that the flights from and to the UK stand temporarily suspended from December 23 to 31, 2020 or till further orders. The government has also issued a direction that all the passengers coming from the UK during the intervening period from December 21 to 23, 2020 will have to undergo RT-PCR tests at the airports of arrival.

Passengers who transited through UK in last 4 weeks to declare travel history of past 14 days: Centre

Hong Kong and Singapore on Thursday decided to set up "travel bubble" to allow citizens to move freely in the two countries provided they test negative for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-new-game-changing-strip-test-for-coronavirus-ready-to-hit-market-335483">coronavirus</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-develops-five-minute-covid-19-rapid-antigen-test-335467">Also Read:&nbsp;Oxford develops five-minute COVID-19 rapid antigen test</a>

The two government's touted it as "a model and a template". According to the travel bubble guidelines, citizens do not need to be quarantined for a period of time on arrival, with no transit passengers allowed onboard the travel bubble flights.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/young-person-might-have-to-wait-until-2022-to-get-vaccine-who-scientist-saumya-swaminathan-335639">Also Read |&nbsp;Young person might have to wait until 2022 to get vaccine: WHO scientist&nbsp;</a>

The guideline states that those travelling between the two countries will need to have a negative coronavirus test result and travel on dedicated planes.

"This milestone arrangement will help revive cross-border air travel between the two aviation hubs, in a safe and progressive way," Hong Kong's government said. The two governments said the new travel bubble would be implemented within weeks which has been agreed upon "in principle".

Hong Kong currently has over 5,200<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/coronavirus-reinfections-are-real-but-very-very-rare-335573"> coronavirus</a> infections and has been grappling with a third wave although daily cases in the country has fallen below 10. The death toll due to the virus in the country has reached 105.&nbsp;

Singapore had earlier announced essential business and official travel with South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and China. Singapore also eased quarantine norms for Hong Kong travellers from 14 to seven days.&nbsp;

Singapore's economy has shrunk 7 per cent in July-September on a year-on-year basis due to the virus which was more than expected. In a bid to kickstart the tourism industry, the Singapore government had announced "cruises to nowhere" from November as travelers in Asia have been snapping up tickets on "flights to nowhere".

The coronavirus has killed more than a million people across the globe since it first emerged in China's Wuhan on December 31, 2019.

Hong Kong and Singapore on Thursday decided to set up "travel bubble" to allow citizens to move freely in the two countries provided they test negative for coronavirus.

Hong Kong and Singapore on Thursday decided to set up "travel bubble" to allow citizens to move freely in the two countries provided they test negative for coronavirus. Also Read: Oxford develops five-minute COVID-19 rapid antigen test The two government's touted it as "a model and a template". According to the travel bubble guidelines, citizens do not need to be quarantined for a period of time on arrival, with no transit passengers allowed onboard the travel bubble flights. Also Read | Young person might have to wait until 2022 to get vaccine: WHO scientist The guideline states that those travelling between the two countries will need to have a negative coronavirus test result and travel on dedicated planes. "This milestone arrangement will help revive cross-border air travel between the two aviation hubs, in a safe and progressive way," Hong Kong's government said. The two governments said the new travel bubble would be implemented within weeks which has been agreed upon "in principle". Hong Kong currently has over 5,200 coronavirus infections and has been grappling with a third wave although daily cases in the country has fallen below 10. The death toll due to the virus in the country has reached 105. Singapore had earlier announced essential business and official travel with South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and China. Singapore also eased quarantine norms for Hong Kong travellers from 14 to seven days. Singapore's economy has shrunk 7 per cent in July-September on a year-on-year basis due to the virus which was more than expected. In a bid to kickstart the tourism industry, the Singapore government had announced "cruises to nowhere" from November as travelers in Asia have been snapping up tickets on "flights to nowhere". The coronavirus has killed more than a million people across the globe since it first emerged in China's Wuhan on December 31, 2019.

No quarantine on arrival in Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble

At the G20 foreign ministers meeting that happened virtually on Thursday, India has proposed a global standard movement of people across national borders with common standards on COVID testing, test results, quarantine etc. The development comes in anticipation of global travel resuming as COVID crisis tapers.&nbsp;

India's external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar proposed development of "voluntary G20 Principles on Coordinated Cross-Border Movement of People" which will have three main elements — standards on testing procedures and universal acceptability of test results,‘Quarantine procedures and movement and transit protocols.

Global travel, especially by airlines, came to a grinding halt earlier this year as COVID pandemic spread from China, which reported the first case of the disease.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-bats-for-g20-after-us-president-trumps-invitation-to-attend-for-g7-302769">Also read:&nbsp;Russia bats for G20 after US President Trump's invitation to attend for G7</a>

During the meet, EAM highlighted the steps taken by India during the pandemic, especially on its mega repatriation plan the Vande Bharat Mission, creation of ‘travel bubbles’ for travel "for the welfare and protection of foreign citizens stranded here as well as its own citizens abroad", a Ministry of External Affairs release said.

India has brought back 13 lakh stranded Indians abroad under the repatriation programme and announced the formation of travel air bubbles with countries with high Indian diaspora like the US.

EAM called on "Governments around the world to ensure that interests of foreign students are protected and movement of stranded seafarers back to their home country is facilitated", the release said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/external-affairs-minister-s-jaishankar-to-visit-moscow-for-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-meet-325005">Also read:&nbsp;External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to visit Moscow for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet</a>

He also commended Saudi Arabia for its proactive approach in bringing "G20 countries together for dealing with this COVID-19 pandemic". Saudi Arabia is the chair of G20 this year and will host the summit later this year.

A release by G20 secretariat in Saudi Arabia said, during the meeting, "foreign ministers acknowledged the importance of opening borders, uniting families, and promoting measures to allow the economy to thrive in light" of the protective measures given by health organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both Indian and Chinese FMs were present in the virtual G20 FMs meet.

At the G20 foreign ministers meeting that happened virtually on Thursday, India has proposed a global standard movement of people across national borders with common standards on COVID testing, test results, quarantine etc.

At the G20 foreign ministers meeting that happened virtually on Thursday, India has proposed a global standard movement of people across national borders with common standards on COVID testing, test results, quarantine etc. The development comes in anticipation of global travel resuming as COVID crisis tapers. India's external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar proposed development of "voluntary G20 Principles on Coordinated Cross-Border Movement of People" which will have three main elements — standards on testing procedures and universal acceptability of test results,‘Quarantine procedures and movement and transit protocols. Global travel, especially by airlines, came to a grinding halt earlier this year as COVID pandemic spread from China, which reported the first case of the disease. Also read: Russia bats for G20 after US President Trump's invitation to attend for G7 During the meet, EAM highlighted the steps taken by India during the pandemic, especially on its mega repatriation plan the Vande Bharat Mission, creation of ‘travel bubbles’ for travel "for the welfare and protection of foreign citizens stranded here as well as its own citizens abroad", a Ministry of External Affairs release said. India has brought back 13 lakh stranded Indians abroad under the repatriation programme and announced the formation of travel air bubbles with countries with high Indian diaspora like the US. EAM called on "Governments around the world to ensure that interests of foreign students are protected and movement of stranded seafarers back to their home country is facilitated", the release said. Also read: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to visit Moscow for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet He also commended Saudi Arabia for its proactive approach in bringing "G20 countries together for dealing with this COVID-19 pandemic". Saudi Arabia is the chair of G20 this year and will host the summit later this year. A release by G20 secretariat in Saudi Arabia said, during the meeting, "foreign ministers acknowledged the importance of opening borders, uniting families, and promoting measures to allow the economy to thrive in light" of the protective measures given by health organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Indian and Chinese FMs were present in the virtual G20 FMs meet.

At G20 FMs meet, India proposes global standards on movement of people

Even as India Maldives Air travel bubble gets into place, the Maldives expects more Indian tourist to visit the Indian Ocean island country. The travel bubble was announced by the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar during a virtual meeting with Maldives FM Abdulla Shahid earlier this month.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The MD of Maldives Marketing &amp; Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) which is the national tourism office of the Maldives Thoyyib Mohamed&nbsp;told WION that the travel bridge will be a "great boost for Maldives tourism."

Mohamed said, "India is the second-largest market for the industry and will help reignite the different sectors of the tourism industry. Given the close proximity between the two countries, this will open up the opportunity for Indian holidaymakers to take a long-awaited holiday, close to home."

The Maldives opened its borders to international tourists since July 15 and there are no quarantine restrictions for tourists. Tourists can travel straight from the airport to their respective resorts without entering Male, thereby providing a safe corridor.&nbsp;

Nearly half the country’s 160 plus resorts have started functioning and guesthouse industry comprising more than 800 guest houses in inhabited islands for budget-travellers are expected to commence soon.&nbsp;

In 2019, 167,000 Indian tourists, visiting the Maldives, which is a rise of more than 100 per cent over 2018. Improved flight connectivity from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka, and, a visa-free regime are among the several reasons that led to an increase in Indian tourists.

COVID-19 crisis had majorly impacted tourism in the country which is the mainstay of the economy. 2,400 active COVID-19 cases were reported in the country, a majority of them in capital Male.&nbsp;

Even as India Maldives Air travel bubble gets into place, the Maldives expects more Indian tourist to visit the Indian Ocean island country. The travel bubble was announced by the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar during a virtual meeting with Maldives FM Abdulla Shahid earlier this month.

Even as India Maldives Air travel bubble gets into place, the Maldives expects more Indian tourist to visit the Indian Ocean island country. The travel bubble was announced by the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar during a virtual meeting with Maldives FM Abdulla Shahid earlier this month. The MD of Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) which is the national tourism office of the Maldives Thoyyib Mohamed told WION that the travel bridge will be a "great boost for Maldives tourism." Mohamed said, "India is the second-largest market for the industry and will help reignite the different sectors of the tourism industry. Given the close proximity between the two countries, this will open up the opportunity for Indian holidaymakers to take a long-awaited holiday, close to home." The Maldives opened its borders to international tourists since July 15 and there are no quarantine restrictions for tourists. Tourists can travel straight from the airport to their respective resorts without entering Male, thereby providing a safe corridor. Nearly half the country’s 160 plus resorts have started functioning and guesthouse industry comprising more than 800 guest houses in inhabited islands for budget-travellers are expected to commence soon. In 2019, 167,000 Indian tourists, visiting the Maldives, which is a rise of more than 100 per cent over 2018. Improved flight connectivity from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka, and, a visa-free regime are among the several reasons that led to an increase in Indian tourists. COVID-19 crisis had majorly impacted tourism in the country which is the mainstay of the economy. 2,400 active COVID-19 cases were reported in the country, a majority of them in capital Male.

Maldives eyes Indian tourists as India-Maldives air travel bubble comes into place

India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla meets Bangladesh's PM. Shringla conveyed Indian PM's special message to Sheikh Hasina. Proposal for the travel bubble & revival of the economy post COVID-19 were also discussed. Whereas Bangladesh's PM raised the issue of Rohingya's.

WION Fineprint: India's Foreign Sec Harsh Vardhan Shringla conveys PM'S special message

Indo-Bangla Ties | Proposal for travel bubble discussed

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