India new rules for foreign tourists from 1 Dec |
With the threat of the `highly transmissible` Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 looming large, the Government of India`s new guidelines for international travellers has kicked in starting December 1. First detected in the country of Botswana in Africa, and later termed a `variant of concern` by the World Health Organisation (WHO), confirmed cases of Omicron have been found in at least 14 countries to date. Many countries have imposed travel bans on visitors from South Africa and southern parts of African continent, and some other countries, to curb the spread of the new variant. Just when India was to open fully for foreign tourists beginning 15th December, Omicron variant concern has led India to revise guidelines for international travellers. Starting 1st December, all international travellers arriving in India will be required to fill a self-declaration form (SDF) and share a copy of their negative RT-PCR test reports with the airlines before boarding the aircraft. For those with a travel history of countries other than the ones listed as `at risk` countries, 2 percent of such travellers will be subjected to random Covid-19 testing upon arrival. The guidelines also specify stringent screening for travellers entering India from any of 12 `at risk` countries. These include the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel. Bangladesh has been removed from this list of `at risk` countries. It will be now mandatory for those travelling from `at-risk` countries to submit details of travel history dating back 14 days prior to the date of arrival, in addition to a negative RT-PCR report. These details can be uploaded to the Air Suvidha portal. Such travellers will also have to undergo Covid-19 testing upon arrival and wait for the results at the airport itself. If found negative for the infection, the travellers will have to observe home quarantine for a minimum of seven days followed by another Covid-19 test on the eighth day. Travellers who test positive upon arrival will be escorted to a separate isolation facility. Their samples will be sent for genome sequencing as they undergo treatment. The Indian government has also instructed airlines to conduct random Covid-19 testing of 2 percent of the travellers flying to India from `at risk` countries.
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