New Delhi: The Union Government announced on Monday in a massive step in India’s fight to check the spread of Covid- 19. The Government announced that no domestic flights will operate from Tuesday midnight. Only cargo flights will be allowed.

International flights had already been banned for a week and most of the country’s land borders have been sealed. Yesterday, the centre had countered Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal when he said no flights would be allowed in or out of the capital. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had put out a clarification saying there would be no change in domestic flight operations.

On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to stop flights to Bengal.

The highly contagious disease spreads from person to person through contact or through respiratory droplets when a patient coughs or sneezes. Airlines across the world have been forced to cut down on their flights because of the Covid- 19 pandemic. A recent study by global aviation consultancy body (CAPA) said most airlines would face bankruptcy if the government does not intervene.