China and the United Arab Emirates are not included in the list of 82 countries so far.
The requirement of seven-day home quarantine on day 8 of arrival and a COVID test also comes into effect from February 14.
This big relaxation could give a boost to overseas inbound travel to India if the suspension of scheduled commercial flights is lifted as fares under bubble flights are too high.
The revised guidelines for international arrivals issued by the health ministry say as much: “… cognizance is also taken of the fact that economic activities need to be resumed in a seamless manner.” This change has come into effect from February 14, 12.01 am (IST).
Amit Kishor, travel industry veteran and founder of 2hub.travel, said: “The removal of the mandatory 7-day home quarantine for arrivals is a big relief for the travel industry, which is facing a brutal blow after two years. During covid. It has been a particularly painful journey for the industry and it now awaits the resumption of regular international flights. This is probably the single most important thing to do to resume the journey.
“The resumption of regular international flights should be announced at the earliest as airlines also take time to deploy aircraft on routes that open up and people need time to book. This will kick-start the industry. And will go a long way in improving the overall business spirit,” said Kishor.
Under the scheme of travel, the guidelines say: “All passengers are required to (a) submit complete and factual information in a self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha Portal (https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration) Required. Scheduled journey with travel details of last 14 days…. (b) Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Report* (tested to be done within 72 hours prior to commencing travel) or Certificate of completion of full primary immunization program of COVID-19 vaccination**.
With the end of at-risk classification, the international arrival process becomes simpler. “Thermal screening will be done in respect of all the passengers.. The passengers found symptomatic during the screening will be immediately isolated and taken to the medical facility as per the health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts will be identified and managed as per the prescribed protocol,” says the amended rules.
“2% of the total passengers in flight will have to undergo random arrival test at the airport on arrival. Such passengers on each flight will be identified by the respective airlines (preferably from different countries). They will collect the samples and they will be allowed out of the airport. If such passengers test positive, their samples should be further sent to the INSACOG laboratory network for genomic testing. They will be treated/isolated as per the prescribed standard protocol,” it adds.
All passengers will self-monitor their health for the next 14 days after arrival. In case passengers develop signs and symptoms of COVID under self-health monitoring, they shall immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call the National Helpline Number (1075) / State Helpline Number.
Every passenger shall also produce a declaration regarding the authenticity of the report and shall be liable to criminal prosecution if found otherwise. They will continue to give an undertaking on the portal through the airlines concerned to comply with the decision of the appropriate government authority for any post-arrival requirement to undergo home/institutional quarantine/self-health monitoring before being allowed to travel. would follow.
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