Centre Issues Fresh Guidelines For International Travellers Arriving In India

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued fresh guidelines for international travellers arriving in India.

These guidelines, issued in consultation with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the context of spread of mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 in several countries, will supersede previous directives issued on the subject since August 2, 2020.

The fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be valid with effect from 23.59 hours IST on February 22 till further orders.

These guidelines are applicable to all international travellers except those coming through flights originating from the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East.

All travellers should (i) submit a self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel (ii) upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report. This test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution if found otherwise.

They should also give an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, through concerned airlines before they are allowed to undertake the journey that they would abide by the decision of the appropriate government authority to undergo home quarantine/ self-monitoring of their health for 14 days, or as warranted.

Arrival in India without a negative report shall be allowed only for those traveling to India in the exigency of death in the family.

If they wish to seek such exemption under para (iii) above, they shall apply to the online portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) at least 72 hours before boarding. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the online portal will be final.