International Arrival Rules Relaxed In India As Covid-19 Situation Improves

Due to the dramatic improvement in the pandemic situation and greater immunisation, the government relaxed the requirements for foreign arrivals on Monday, which is a huge relief for air travellers.

With the Covid-19 situation improving both globally as well as in India, the government on Monday discontinued the filing of self-declaration forms for Covid vaccination by incoming international passengers on the Air Suvidha portal. The rule will come into effect from midnight.

Due to the dramatic improvement in the pandemic situation and greater immunisation, the government relaxed several requirements for foreign arrivals on Monday in a huge relief for air travellers.

Additionally, vaccinations are no longer required but are still preferred for foreign entrants. The development comes days after the Civil Aviation Ministry said the use of masks was not compulsory during air travel but passengers should preferably use them.

“Planning for Travel: All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per approved primary schedule against Covid-19 in their Country,” reads the revised guidelines for international arrivals issued by the Union health ministry.

For “during travel”, the revised guidelines reads: “In-flight announcement about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed (preferable use of masks and following physical distancing) shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry."

Any traveller with Covid-19 symptoms must be quarantined in accordance with established practise. Such passengers ought to be worn masks, separated from other travellers during the flight or journey, and then transferred to an isolation centre for further care.

Additionally, the regulations in effect as of Tuesday provide that de-boarding must be done while maintaining physical distance. The health professionals on duty at the point of entrance should conduct thermal screening on each and every passenger.

Passengers who exhibit symptoms during screening must be brought to a recognised medical institution right away and segregated in accordance with health procedure.

All travellers must keep track of their health after arriving and must visit the nearest medical institution or call the national hotline number (1075) or a state helpline number if any symptoms arise.