New COVID Norms For International Travellers: Hospitalisation Not Mandatory In Positive Cases

Bhubaneswar: In view of changed COVID situation, the Central government on Friday issued a new set of guidelines for international passengers arriving from ‘at risk’ countries.

The guidelines, issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will come into effect from January 22.

As per new norms, those who test positive on arrival in India will be treated but hospitalisation will not be mandatory. “If tested positive, their samples would be sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network. They will be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocols,” the Ministry said.

The regulations stated that submission of COVID-19 sample on arrival is mandatory and self-paid. While the test results arrive, passengers have to wait at the airport. If they test negative, they will have to quarantine for 7 days and take an RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival.

They will also have to upload their RT-PCR tests done on the 8th day on the Air Suvidha portal. If any traveller tests positive on the 8th day RT-PCR test, their sample will be sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network and they will have to follow standard protocols and remain isolated.

For the passengers arriving from ‘non-at risk’ countries, the rules state that a section of them will undergo random testing on arrival at the airport. All passengers will have to quarantine themselves for 7 days at home and undergo the RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival.

They will also have to upload their results on the Air Suvidha portal. If someone tests positive, the sample will be sent for further genome testing and he will be asked to isolate themselves.

Children under the age of 5 years are exempted from undergoing tests at airports.