The spread and effects of the new COVID-19 variant – ‘Omicron’ frightens everyone. Witnessing the rise in the number of omricron cases of this vicious variant in different parts of the world has made our central government worry too.
By seeing this, the central government rules out new rules for international travelers arriving in India. However, the government reached this conclusion after conducting a high-level meeting to review the health conditions of the citizens and preparedness with states and UTs.
The new travel guidelines state that all international passengers have to submit their 14 days travel history. Along with travel history, they also have to upload negative Covid test results on the Air Suvidha portal. The new travel guidelines are effective from today, December 1, 2021.
Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Reaches Different Parts of the World After UK
Revised Rules for Passengers Arriving from “At-Risk” Countries
- All passengers must upload their negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report online. Make sure to conduct the test within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.
- Airlines will allow only those passengers who have filled the self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal along with uploading the negative RT-PCR test report.
- It is the duty of airlines to inform passengers who are arriving from at-risk countries that they will undergo post-arrival testing. They even might have to quarantine if tested positive-negative, stringent isolation protocols if tested positive.
- According to recent reports, most European countries are designated as “at-risk” countries. Other than these, the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Botswana, China, New Zealand. Singapore, Israel, and Hong Kong are at high risk.
- Travelers have to undergo an RT-PCR test post-arrival. Also, they have to wait for the test results before leaving or taking a connecting flight.
- Passengers will be on a 7-days home quarantine period if they test negative. On the 8th day, they again have to undergo a COVID-19 test and if again found negative, they have to self-monitor their health for the next 7 days.
- In case their test result turns out to be positive, then their samples will be leaving for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network. Moreover, they will be treated in a separate isolation facility with standard protocols.
- The state government will monitor positive cases who are in health institutes or homes with standard protocols.
- Those traveling from countries that are not “at-risk” countries will be able to leave the airport. But they have to self-monitor their health for 14-days after the arrival.
- For the record, 5% of total passengers of a flight have to undergo post-arrival testing at random.
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