NEW QUARANTINE GUIDELINES ISSUED ON 05/11/2020 FOR INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS ARRIVING IN INDIA

The Central govt has issued a new set of guidelines for foreign air passengers on 05/11/2020.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued new guidelines for international air passengers considering the Corona situation. The latest guidelines were issued on 5/11/202. It is said that, if an international passenger is arriving without an RT-PCR negative certificate and not opting for an RT PCR test at the airport (if the facility is available) or arriving at an airport where the testing facility is not available will have to undergo mandatory 7 days' institutional quarantine and 7 days' home quarantine.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been made for the Covid test at Calcutta Airport. However, only passengers from London are getting this opportunity. But passengers from other countries including Dhaka-Dubai do not have this facility. As per the guidelines of the state government, only passengers from London will get this facility.

The guidelines issued by the Central are applicable to all the airports in every state of the country. As well as the guidelines of the states regarding the covid need to be followed.

The central guidelines mentioned slight exceptions in a few scenarios such as:-

1- cases of human distress such as pregnancy,

2-death in family, 

3-serious illness and 

4-parent(s) with children of the age of 10 years or below, 

home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days.

In that case, the passenger has to upload the covid negative report to the central portal (www.new Delhi airport.in) before 72 hours of boarding the plane. Then he will able to apply for a waiver. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the online portal will be final.

International travelers may also ask for an exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report. This test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be uploaded on the portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) for Review.

If the application is approved, the person will have to submit a self-declaration form and pledge to stay in self-monitoring for 14 days. 

Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution if found otherwise. The test report could also be produced upon arrival at the point of entry airport in India.

International passengers who had not filled in the self-declaration form on the portal can also fill the same in duplicate in the flight and a copy of the same will be given to Health and Immigration officials present at the airport.

International passengers arriving without an RT-PCR negative certificate can also ask for an exemption from institutional quarantine. They may also avail of the facility available at the airports to undergo RT-PCR testing (Only if the facilities available at the arriving airport).

Besides, all the passengers have been told to download the Arogya setu app. All passengers must undergo thermal screening upon arrival. If any symptoms are found in it, the passengers will be taken separately for a health check-up.

International Passengers arriving through seaports or land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol as air passengers, except that facility for online registration as it is not available currently. Passengers have to submit the self-declaration form to the concerned authorities of the Government of India at the seaports or land ports on arrival.