Last October India announced it would resume welcoming international travelers after 18 months of closure. Now, at little over a year later, the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is relaxing most COVID-related travel restrictions.
The latest guidelines for international travelers were posted by the government on November 21st and in it India announced the relaxation of COVID-related travel restrictions, including vaccination, which is now preferable and not mandatory. The decision was taken on the basis of the decreasing number of active cases in the country.
As of November 22nd, all travelers “should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against Covid-19 in their country”, the statement reads. During travel, the wearing of facemasks and physical distancing are preferred, but not mandatory, and should be announced in flight and at all points of entry.
Passengers are also no longer required to complete the Air Suvidha form, India’s passenger locator form, before departure. Previously, all travelers going to India were required to fill the declaration before being allowed to board flights. The measure has been increasingly criticized by both passengers and India’s hospitality sector.
Due to the aviation chaos of the past few months, many people had to make last minute changes to their itineraries, thus being required to fill out a new form every time, which led to some travelers missing their flights because of the missing document. Furthermore, in October, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India requested authorities to scrap the measure, as they said it was harming tourism sector recovery.
Any passengers showing COVID-19 symptoms during travel will be isolated as per standard protocol. This means they should be wearing a facemask, will be isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight, and shifted to an isolation facility for follow up treatment upon arrival.
When arriving, passengers will go through a quick check from health officials at the point of entry, including thermal screening. Those who are found to be symptomatic during the screening will be immediately isolated and taken to designated health facilities.
Additionally, the government asks travelers to self-monitor their health during their entire stay in India. In the case they start having any symptoms, to immediately report to their nearest health facility or call the State or National helpline numbers.
