“In modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject cited above regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs IST of 31st December, 2020. This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” The Director General of Civil Aviation said in a statement on Thursday.

“However, International Scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis,” the statement added.

India, which is now the country worst-hit by the coronavirus in Asia and the second in the world, has recorded more than 9,2 million Covid-19 cases and at least 135,261 deaths so far.