69% Indian citizens don't want full-fledged resumption of international flights from Mar 27, finds survey

According to a survey, 69 per cent of citizens were against the Indian government's decision to fully restart commercial international flights from March 27.

Seven out of ten Indians don’t want full-fledged resumption of international flights from March 27, as several countries across the globe report a rise in coronavirus cases, a survey by Local Circles showed.

Data analysis by Local Circles shows that only 25 per cent of citizens are in favour of the government’s decision to restart commercial international flights from all countries from March 27.

Several countries across the globe, including the United States and China, are witnessing a steep rise in Covid cases, which is making citizens jittery about international travellers. Citizens want the government to restart flights only from/to those countries where test positivity rate is low

The survey found that 69 per cent of citizens surveyed were against India restarting full schedule commercial international flights from March 27th, while only 25 per cent of citizens support it.

A major reason for citizens' worry is the fact that as overall daily coronavirus cases in India continue to decline, many believe that opening doors for foreign travellers might undo the gains made so far in containing the virus.

The majority of citizens want the government to restart commercial international flights only from countries that have the test positivity rate (TPR) in low single digits i.e., less than 5 per cent.

The government has restored valid e-tourist visas issued for 5 years to nationals of 156 countries, along with the regular paper tourist visa.