India is seeing a constant decline in COVID-19 cases in the third wave. The Centre has revised the guidelines for the incoming International flyers. These guidelines will commence on Feb 14, 2022, as stated by the Union ministry of health and family welfare.

The major change introduced is the revoking of seven day quarantine period for the international incoming flyers. Earlier, the incoming flyers had to go through a mandatory seven-day quarantine at home and a test on the 8th day for COVID-19.

This rule was laid down in March 2020. The lifting of the ban will help in gaining momentum in business especially in the aviation and travel industry.

New Guidelines For International Flyers

The incoming flyers need to submit their full vaccination certificate and a negative RT-PCR report from the pre-departure test. The vaccination certificate from 82 nations is valid in India. The demarcation of countries at risk is removed by the Centre.

Passengers also need to fill out a self-declaration form available at the Air Suvidha web portal along with the 14-day travel history.

“All travellers will self-monitor their health for next 14 days of arrival. If travellers under self-health monitoring, develop signs and symptoms suggestive of Covid-19, they need to isolate themselves and report to the nearest health facility or call national helpline number 1075,” said the new guideline.

The guideline further mentioned that thermal Screening is essential and will be carried out for all the passengers at the airport. If the passenger shows symptoms on screening then he will be immediately isolated. On further testing, if such flyers are found to be positive then their contacts shall be identified by tracking and tracing.

Along with this, only 2% of flyers will be tested randomly under post-arrival testing at the airport. The aim is to include passengers from different countries. Later if any of them tests positive then Genomic sequencing of such flyers will be carried out.

Conclusion

India at present is still coping with the third wave of the pandemic . But increasing vaccination cover, partial lockdowns, more awareness and tighter flying rules all have helped in controlling the third wave.

There is a constant decline in cases and positivity rate the new guidelines for international flyers is a great relief too. Especially for the Aviation and Travel industry as the pandemic has the biggest effect on these two. But we still need to be cautious enough to follow the covid protocols. Precaution and safety are the essential tools to stay covid negative.