Only locals, officials, security personnel on flights to Leh: Ladakh admin

Airlines were asked not to carry any passengers, except locals, civilian officers and security personnel, to Leh due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Ladakh administration ordered on Friday.

The decision came a day after eight positive cases of the deadly COVID-19 were found in the Union territory.

In its order, the Ladakh administration said in wale of the outbreak and as part of stringent precautionary measures against it spread, it is hereby ordered that no commercial flights landing at the KBR airport in Leh should carry passengers to Leh, other than the residents of Ladakh, civilian officers and officers of uniformed forces serving in Ladakh or on duty to Ladakh till further orders.

There are eight confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Ladakh and the infection has reached the Union territory through the pilgrims who returned from Iran, the Union Home Ministry said on Thursday.

A total of 58 people were quarantined in hospitals in Ladakh and 18 people, including positive cases, are in hospitals in isolation. Currently, there are eight confirmed cases, including an Army soldier in Ladakh.