India has reported a huge spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the last few weeks. On July 21, around 37,148 cases and 587 deaths were reported which took the countrywide infection tally to 11,55,191. As India fights its battle, a large portion of people are left stranded in our shores, waiting to return back home. On July 21, The Delhi airport authority issued their latest guidelines for international passengers arriving in Delhi. Those who wish to stay in Delhi-NCR will have to undergo mandatory health screening. The first will be conducted by the airport health officials and the latter by the Delhi government. India’s first air bubble flight takes off from Delhi to Washington on July 22.
Delhi Airport Issues New Guidelines For International Passengers
On July 21, the Delhi airport authority issued their latest guidelines for international passengers. Those who stay in Delhi-NCR must undergo health screening by their airport health officials and then by the Delhi government. At the first level, the passengers must undergo thermal screening by “discreetly mounted, highly accurate mass screening cameras”. The passengers will be allowed to go to their approved location only after the two levels of screening.
Important information regarding quarantine process for all passengers traveling through #DelhiAirport. More Info – https://t.co/i0PFnKcAZC
#indiafightscorona https://t.co/PKxZOyBsFM
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) July 21, 2020
Other passengers with no onward connection have been asked to undergo seven days of institutional quarantine at their own cost. This is followed by one-week of home quarantine. The airport authority has also asked the passengers to sign an undertaking that they accept this obligation, which will be retained by the overseas mission/embassy before the booking is confirmed.
Also Read:I Took A Flight From Mumbai To Delhi During Pandemic And Here’s My Experience
Exemptions Will Be Given To 4 Categories Of People
The guideline further said that exemptions will be given to only four category of people: Pregnant women, for those who have suffered death in the family, those suffering from serious illness and parents of children below 10 years of age. However, proper documentation is needed in all these cases. It also gave an email address when undertaking should be provided for people belonging to these exempted categories.
Also Read: Kolkata Extends Ban On Flights From 6 Cities Including Mumbai & Delhi
Indian air space got closed in March as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic and only rescue flights for Indians stranded overseas have operated from India under the Vande Bharat mission. In a guideline issued by the authority, they said, “Passengers arriving on an international Vande Bharat Mission flight may only take a connecting domestic flight if it also comes under the Vande Bharat Mission.
However, passengers who are planning to board onward domestic flights will have to obtain an authorised exemption certificate, if they are coming through non-Vande Bharat international flights.”Delhi, meanwhile, recorded 1,349 fresh cases of coronavirus disease on Tuesday, which took its tally to over 1.25 lakh. The death toll from the disease mounted to 3,690. On June 20, the fresh cases count had dipped to 954. Here is the experience of Indians who returned back through Vande Bharat flights.