New Delhi: The Central government on Thursday revised guidelines for international passengers arriving in the country from February 14. The passengers will now have the option of uploading full primary vaccination certificates besides uploading the RT-PCR negative report (taken within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey).
The international arrivals airplane guidelines will come into effect from February 14.
“The @MoHFW_INDIA has issued revised guidelines for International Arrivals Airplane Guidelines to come in effect from 14th February. Follow these diligently, stay safe & strengthen India's hands in the fight against #COVID19. Main features include: https://bit.ly/GuidelinesIntl (1/6),” Union Health Minister Manuskh Mandaviya tweeted.
The demarcation of ‘at-risk’ countries has also been removed.
“The demarcation of countries ‘at-risk’ & other countries removed. Accordingly need for giving samples on the port of arrival & waiting till the result is obtained from countries ‘at-risk’ is dispensed with,” Mandaviya mentioned further.
The government has, as per the new advisory, recommended 14 days self-monitoring post-arrival as against seven days home quarantine as was mandated earlier.
“14 days Self-Monitoring post-arrival as against 7 days Home Quarantine as was mandated earlier,” Mandaviya wrote on the micro-blogging platform.
Besides, two percent of the total passengers in the flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival.
“Such travellers in each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport,” the Health Ministry said in a release.
“If such travellers are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network. They shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol,” the ministry added.
“Random sampling of 2% of International Travellers from all countries on arrival. Travellers can give samples & are allowed to leave the airport,” Mandaviya said in a series of tweets.
Issuing the guidelines, the Health Ministry said the global and Indian growth trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic continues with regional variations.
“The need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) thus, must still remain in focus,” the Health Ministry said.
“The extant guidelines for international arrivals in India continue being formulated taking a risk-based approach. While monitoring the nature and spread of infection in the country and across the globe, cognizance is also given to the fact that economic activities need to be taken up in an unhindered manner,” the ministry added.