India and UAE are operating flights under the special air bubble agreement from over 6-months now. And thanks to this agreement, several Indians have been able to fly back home amid the pandemic. And if you are still planning to fly to India, then we have news for you. The guidelines issued by the Indian government are now updated. As per the guidelines, passengers flying to India with a covid negative test report and seeking exemption from institutional quarantine may now undergo the RT-PCR test on arrival at the airport. The new guidelines were announced on November 5 by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Here’s everything you need to know about the updated rules.
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Passengers To Submit Self Declaration Before Boarding The Flight
The new update mandates all the passengers to submit a self-declaration form on the online portal for government’s approval (www.newdelhiairport.in) 72 hours before travelling. If the travellers are planning to seek a quarantine exemption by submitting a negative covid-19 test certificate, then the test should be done 72 hours before boarding the flight. And the same result should be updated on the portal while filling self-declaration.
The self-declaration should be authentic, and if found otherwise, the passenger will be liable for criminal prosecution said the ministry.
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Passengers Arriving Without Negative Test Certificate To Test On Arrival
The new guidelines state that international passengers arriving without a test report and wishing to seek an exemption from institutional quarantine may also avail the facility available at the airports to undergo RT-PCR testing only where it is available. Furthermore, passengers opting for an exemption from quarantine will have to self-monitor their health. However, the guidelines also make it clear that passengers arriving without negative certificate do not have the option to get screened at the airport will have to undergo seven days of institutional quarantine and seven days of home quarantine.
Planning To Travel India Soon? Here Are Some Things To Do Before Boarding The Flight
Before boarding the flight, it’s essential to download Arogya Setu app on your phone and make sure you have a list of dos and don’ts from your airlines. Ensure wearing masks, following social distancing rules and other protocols at the airport.
Things To Keep In Mind While Travelling
While travelling, make sure that you have filled the self-declaration form online. If not, then you have to fill the same duplicate form in the flight. The copy of the same will be given to the Health and Immigration officials present at the airport. Announcement regarding covid-19, including precautionary measures, will be made at airports, in flights and during transit. Follow all the necessary protocols for your safety and the safety of the other passengers.
Things To Follow Upon Arrival In India
Passengers found symptomatic during thermal screening will be immediately isolated and taken to a medical health facility. For other passengers, post the thermal screening, passengers who have been exempted from institutional quarantine will show the same to the respective State Counters before being allowed home quarantine for 14 days.
For passengers who have a certificate with them will be exempted from quarantine. They will be allowed to self-monitor their health for 14 days. Passengers will also be given some numbers, where they can call in case they develop symptoms during home quarantine or self-monitoring of their health.
For the remaining passengers who aren’t able to test at the airport and don’t have a negative certificate with them, will be taken to suitable institutional quarantine facilities for a minimum of seven days. Followed that, they will be tested as per ICMR protocol.
If they test asymptomatic, they will be allowed home isolation or isolated in the covid-19 Care Centre as appropriate. Those having mild/ moderate/ severe symptoms will be admitted to dedicated covid-19 Health facilities and managed accordingly.