In view of the new mutation of the Covid virus, most prevalent in the UK, South Africa and Brazil, the Civil Aviation Ministry has announced new guidelines for international travelers to India.
Effective today, February 22, 2021, these new guidelines will be applicable to all international travelers originating and/or transiting through UK, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East.
Primary Requirements For All International Travelers To India
- Submit a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha portal before their scheduled travel;
- Get a Covid test done at least 72 hours prior to your flight and sign a declaration regarding the authenticity of the report;
- Upload a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR report;
- Exceptions in very rare cases can be given however, this has to go through an online portal: www.newdelhiairport.in or the Indian Ministry of Aviation at least 72 hours before boarding;
- Depending upon their decision, you may have to undergo 14-days quarantine as directed by them;
- All Travelers have to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices;
- All travelers will undergo thermal screening and only asymptomatic travelers will be allowed to board the international flight;
- On arrival, if you are found to be symptomatic, you will be isolated and taken to a medical facility at your own expense;
- All travelers have to maintain 6 feet social distance while in airports and within the airplane
For International Travelers Flying In From UK, Europe, Brazil, South Africa Or The Middle East
All the above clauses will be applicable to travelers coming/transiting from flights originating in the UK, Europe and Middle East
- As for special procedures on testing, quarantine and isolation, these travelers will have to undergo special molecular tests on arrival at the designated Indian airports or port of entry. The expenses for these medical tests will be borne by the traveler themselves.
- Depending upon the decision of the Indian Aviation Ministry, these travelers may have to undergo 14-days quarantine as directed by them;
- All international travelers arriving from/transiting through the UK, Brazil, Middle East and South Africa will be asked to sign self-declaration form (SDF). All information including contact telephone numbers and address to place of stay while in India would be need to be verified and confirmed.
- These forms will also ask you to confirm your travel itinerary for the past 14 days;
- For connecting flights, travelers should plan for an 8-hour lag between transiting flights. There will be elaborate testing procedures before these travelers can board the next flight;
- International travelers arriving from/transiting through the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa should anticipate additional protocols that include segregation within the flight, separate flight disembarking procedures and isolating in a separate area in the airport;
Before Departing India
The international travelers returning to UK, Europe, Brazil, South Africa Or The Middle East will undergo all tests again. And if they have tested negative and remain symptom free will be permitted to leave India. The District and State health authorities of their destination country will be notified accordingly.
International travelers who have stayed over 14 days in India, will have to undergo all tests again and have a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR report before being allowed to depart India.
Stay Safe
The new variants of the Covid virus originating around the world especially in Africa, and UK are considered to be very contagious and have stronger symptoms that the original. All social distancing precautions are to maintained along with mask wearing and washing of hands.
Stay safe and remain tuned to this page for the latest updates in travel to India
