RT-PCR report not required, Govt issues new guidelines for international travellers

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February 11, 2022

KEY STORY

As India witnesses a decline in the daily Covid-19 cases, the government has revised the guidelines for international arrival which will come into effect on Monday, February 14.
In its circular, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the extant guidelines for international arrivals in India continue being formulated taking a risk-based approach.

Ministry of Health issues revised guidelines for international arrivals, to come in effect from 14th Feb

The demarcation of countries ‘at-risk’ & other countries removed.

Recommends 14 days self-monitoring post-arrival as against 7 days home quarantine as was mandated earlier. pic.twitter.com/oPJBKwCkak

— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022
From Monday, international flyers will have the option to upload certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of Covid-19 vaccination provided from countries on a reciprocal basis, besides uploading negative RT-PCR report (taken 72 hrs prior to journey).
Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.
The Centre has done away with the demarcation of countries ‘at-risk’ and other countries.
2 per cent of all international travellers from all countries will undergo random sampling on arrival. Travellers will be allowed to give the sample and leave the airport. However, if such travellers are tested positive, their samples would be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network and they shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.
The Centre has mandated 14 days self-monitoring post-arrival as against 7 days home quarantine as was mandated earlier. They will have to undertake an RT-PCR test on the 8th day and upload the same on the Air Suvidha portal.
Meanwhile, international travellers arriving through seaports/land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol as above, except that facility for online registration is not available for such passengers currently.
The government has also notified that on the basis of reciprocity, the travellers from only such countries which provide quarantine-free entry to Indians will be allowed for relaxation under Certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of Covid-19 vaccination.