Delhi: Amid rising COVID cases in China, Japan, US and other countries, India has issued fresh set of guidelines specially for international travel. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made pre-departure RT-PCR testing compulsory for passengers in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Japan. A negative RT-PCR report from 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey has to be produced.
All states and union territories have been directed to take necessary steps to maintain COVID appropriate behavior to mitigate and avoid any uptick in cases.
- According to revised guidelines, a mandatory requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR testing- to be conducted- 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey- has been introduced for passengers from all flights from COVID high risk countries – China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic f Korea, Thailand and Japan.
- This rule will also be applicable to transiting passengers through these above mentioned countries irrespective of their originating countries before coming to any Indian Airport.
- According to Air Suvidha has to be made operational for passengers in all international flights from these countries with a provision to allow international travellers arriving in India to submit negative RT-PCR test reports as well as to submit self-declaration form on this portal.
- The existing practice of post-arrival random testing of 2 per cent travellers, irrespective of port of departure shall continue.
Other nations like Canada, US have also issued travel advisories especially for travellers from China taking cognisance of the looming BF.7 scare. In past few days, several international passengers arriving in India have tested positive COVID.