Karnataka restricts flights from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP and Rajasthan

New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Karnataka on Thursday requested the civil aviation ministry to reduce the number of flights from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP and Rajasthan to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The clarification comes amid reports that sate asked a complete flight ban from the above states. 

In a statement, the Karnataka govt said, "it has appealed to the Civil Aviation Ministry to take steps to lessen the air traffic to the State, with the sacred intention that there may not be adequate quarantine facilities, if there is huge turn out at a short span of time."

Karnataka minister JC Madhu Swami said that restrictions have been imposed for people coming by road from the above mentioned five states, as quoted by NDTV.

Earlier today, there were reports that Karnataka has suspended all incoming transport from several states to prevent the spread of COVID-19 spread in the state.

No flights, trains and vehicles from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP and Rajasthan will be allowed into the state to contain the spread of the virus, said a report from news agency ANI.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. While Maharashtra has recorded nearly 57,000 cases, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat has reported over 18,500 and 15,000 cases. 

Earlier on May 18, the government had banned the entry of people from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, when the announcement of the fourth phase of lockdown was made. 

The order came after the government said that the movement of passengers will be allowest by mutual consent among states. 

According to the Union Health Ministry, the number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka is 2,418 with 47 fatalities. A total of 781 people have been cured from pandemic. On Thursday, it reported 75 new cases. 

The total number of cases in India has surged over 1.58 lakh with over 4,500 fatalities.

Earlier today, the Karnataka government had issued a fresh travel advisory to people traveling outside the state. In its fresh guidelines, the government said that people travelling outside need to spend a minimum of 14 days in quarantine during their return.