The Indian Ministry for Health and Family Welfare has set forth new guidelines for all international travellers visiting the country, and they will be applicable from 14th February 2022. This move has been an effect of the reducing effect of the Omicron variant across the globe, and is intended to aid returning citizens as well as tourists to visit the country conveniently.
Earlier passengers had to stay in home quarantine once they arrived for a duration of 7 days, and get themselves tested through an RT-PCR on the 8th day of arrival in India.If you are looking for travelling in tourist places in north india it is recommended to follow the below mentioned guidelines. It was mandatory for travellers to upload these results on the Air Suvidha portal. If the result was negative, they had to continue self-monitoring for an additional seven days. In case the result was positive, the person would be transferred to an isolation facility for treatment according to the standard protocol laid down. Similarly, if a person tested positive during home quarantine, he/she was to be self-isolated, the nearest health authorities were to be intimated, and the person would be transferred to an isolation centre.
The new advisory now makes travelling to India much easier. International travellers now do not have to undergo any home quarantine, neither do they have to get themselves tested on the 8th day of arrival into the country. The passengers simply need to present the self-declaration form obtained from the Air Suvidha portal at the airport along with a certificate stating they have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19, provided they belong to an approved list of 86 countries. If any traveller seems symptomatic, he/she will be transferred to an isolation facility for monitoring. Upon leaving the airport, the traveller simply needs to self-monitor for 14 days, instead of home quarantine for a week.
Previously, a traveller from the list of ‘at risk’ countries would need to undertake a self-paid test for Covid-19 upon arrival and wait at the airport until the result came. If it was positive, they would be transferred immediately to an isolation facility. If the result was negative, they were permitted leave the airport premises and proceed to home quarantine, followed by an RT-PCR on the 8th day. The new guidelines have lifted the tag of ‘at risk’ off 86 countries and have declared it safe for travellers from those nations to visit India.
Another important point to note is that, the new advisory has done away with the requirement for the negative result of RT-CR done 72 hours prior to travel. If a passenger has a certificate of full vaccination, that is sufficient.
Take a look at the guidelines for travellers from some key destinations such as UK, US, Canada, Singapore and Dubai.
Travellers from USA
US residents visiting India have been advised to travel only after they are fully vaccinated, and preferably after they take their flu shots too. They would need to check that they hold Indian VISAs issued after 6th October, 2021. They are required to fill in factual data on India’s Air Suvidha portal, complete a self-declaration form and upload fully vaccinated certificate before travel. Random testing for 2% of travellers will be done upon arrival in India, and any positive results will lead to immediate isolation for treatment. They could also opt for Covid health insurance, to cover any risks during their travel.
Traveller from UK
If you are travelling from the UK on one of the limited flights to India, you will need to fill out a self-declaration form on India’s Air Suvidha portal and upload a fully vaccinated certificiate or, if unavailable, a negative RT-PCR test result. Do not attempt to travel if you have any symptom as you will liekly not be permitted to board the aircraft. If you intend to travel within India, make sure you check the latest guidelines for foreigners
Traveller from Canada
India’s new guidelines have disposed of the mandatory negative RT-PCR test to be conducted minimum 72 hours before departure. The self-declaration on Air Suvidha portal as well as proof that you have been fully vaccinated are adequate documents to travel to India. If you wish to travel within the country, take domestic travel insurance online India citizens will advise you.
Traveller from Singapore
Travellers from this previously ‘at risk’ country need to follow the same new guidelines – present a fully completed self-declaration form downloaded and filled from Air Suvidha portal. On the portal, they would also need to upload a certificate stating that they have been fully vaccinated. If that’s not available, they would need to upload a negative RT-PCR taken 72 hours prior to travel. Singapore government also advises to purchase travel insurance online India service providers will offer.
Traveller from Dubai
The self-declaration form from Air Suvidha portal as well as a ‘full vaccinated’ certificate is all that is required for travellers from Dubai, arriving at any airport of India.
All these guidelines are aimed at permitting ease of travel for returning citizens as well as to increase tourist footfall.
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