India recorded 4,575 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 4,29,75,883, according to the data released by the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday. The active cases in the country now stand at 46,962 and comprise 0.11% of the total infections. Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 5,15,355 with 145 fresh fatalities.

The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive have exceeded 179.33 crores.

Also Read: In Pics: Omicron overwhelms Hong Kong, city reels from COVID crisis

Meanwhile, with the speed of the omicron variant of COVID-19 slowing down in the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said on Tuesday that all the scheduled international flights to and from India will resume from March 27, 2022. 

The scheduled international flight services were suspended in India on March 23, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, special international flights have been operating between India and 37 countries since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements. 

“After deliberation with stakeholders and keeping in view the decline in the COVID-19 caseload, we have decided to resume international travel from March 27 onwards,” Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, adding that “with this step, I am confident the sector will reach new heights”.

Also Read: In Pics: Omicron overwhelms Hong Kong, city reels from COVID crisis

In a statement, the MoCA said that international flight operations from March 27 will be subject to strict adherence to Union health ministry guidelines that were issued on February 10.

“After having recognised the increased vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with stakeholders, the Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India from March 27, 2022, i.e. start of summer schedule 2022,” it said.