Dubai: Travelling during COVID-19 is not easy. It involves keeping abreast of ever-changing rules, taking steps to protect oneself and the family from the coronavirus, and of course, ensuring that the bags are packed.
With the holiday season just a week away, here’s a look at the rules you should be aware of if you were flying to the major cities / states in India.
As always, checking with the airline or the travel agent for the latest regulations before flying will help avoid last minute surprises.
While there are some rules that are specific to certain states, there are a few criteria that are common.
According to the Guidelines for International Arrivals by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, all travellers should:
(i) Submit 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, with the test conducted within 72 hours before the journey.
(iii) Submit a declaration staying authenticity of the report
(iv) Give an undertaking that they will abide by the decision of the appropriate government to undergo home quarantine/ self-monitoring of their health for 14 days, or as warranted.
Arrival in India without negative report is allowed only for those travelling in the emergency case of death in the family. Those seeking such exemptions, should 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.
Air Suvidha portal
All passengers travelling on international flights to India need to submit a health declaration form and a negative report of the RT-PCR test on the Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in).
Air Suvidha is a contactless solution by Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi Airport for all international passengers coming to India. It is a Self Declaration and Exemption Form Portal for International arriving passengers.
Passengers with approved exemption requests on Air Suvidha are exempted from institutional quarantine. In case of rejection, the passenger will have to undergo institutional quarantine as per the state government guidelines at the first airport of entry.
Aarogya Setu app
All passengers are advised to download Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices.
Aarogya Setu uses contact tracing to record details of all the people you may have come in contact with. If any one of them, at a later point in time, tests positive for COVID-19, you are immediately informed and medical intervention is arranged for you.
During travel to India
While on board the flight, required precautions such as wearing of masks, environmental hygiene, respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene are to be observed by all passengers. Measures like social distancing are to be ensured at all times.
On arrival in India
Thermal screening will be carried out by health officials present at the airport. The self-declaration form filled online should be shown to the airport health staff. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility as per health protocol.
