International Passengers Taking Connecting Domestic Flights Can Take COVID Test

International passengers who have to take connecting domestic flights after arriving in India can get tested for COVID-19 at the entry points. The Civil Aviation Ministry announced this on September 2. If the RT-PCR test results turn negative only then international passengers will be permitted to catch their connecting domestic flights. Otherwise, they must undergo any institutional quarantine at the destination city. The test result will come in a maximum of 7 hours. But till the results arrive, passengers must remain in the waiting lounge of the entry airport. The MHA recently announced that passengers can directly apply for tickets through airlines instead of under Vande Bharat Mission. 

International Passengers Taking Connecting Flights Can Undergo COVID Tests At Entry Airports

The Civil Aviation Ministry announced on September 2 that international passengers who have to take connecting domestic flights after landing in India can get themselves tested for COVID-19 at the entry airports. The test result shall come out in a maximum of 7 hours. But until then, passengers must remain in the waiting lounge of the entry airport. If the results are negative, passengers get on their connecting flight. But if it’s positive they have to undergo institutional quarantine in the destination city.

Also Read: 11 Rules & Guidelines Travelers Need To Know Before They Enter India

International Passengers Also Have Option Of Carrying a COVID Negative Test Result Certificate 96 Hours Before Journey

This on-arrival testing facility can also be extended to other passengers according to the order. On August 2, the Health Ministry announced that if international passengers have a negative test result from an RT-PCR test done 96 hours before the journey, they don’t need to undergo institutional quarantine in India.

Also Read: India Extends Ban On International Passenger Flights Till September 30

But passengers who don’t opt for the on-arrival testing facility at the entry airport and don’t have a COVID negative test result certificate 96 hours before their journey then they have to abide by different rules. They must mandatorily undergo 7-day institutional quarantine followed by 7-day home quarantine. Meanwhile, scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended due to the pandemic. Special international flights continue to operate under the Vande Bharat Misson under the air bubble pacts with various countries.