Covid-19: Centre issues guidelines for international arrivals in India; to be effective from Dec 24
New Delhi, December 23: The central government is in action amidst increasing cases of corona in other countries including China. In view of this, the Union Health Ministry is preparing to make the Air Suvidha form related to filling the information of RT-PCR test done 72 hours before the journey mandatory again. These rules will apply to passengers coming from China and other countries (where cases of Coron are increasing). Along with the corona test report in the form, complete vaccination proof information will also have to be filled. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has issued guidelines for international arrivals in India.
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From December 24, there will be random testing of Covid for some passengers arriving by every international flight. According to the government, passengers on each flight will be randomly selected for the COVID test by the airlines concerned. It is being told that 2% of the total passengers in a flight will ensure to undergo COVID test at the airport upon arrival. Such passengers will be identified by the airline. After giving the sample, the passengers will be allowed to leave the airport. Samples testing positive will be sent for genome sequencing.
This document provides protocols to be complied by international travellers as well as points of entry (airports, seaports and land border) and shall be valid w.e.f. 24th December 2022 (10.00 Hrs IST) till further orders.
A.1. Planning for Travel
i. All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.
A.2. During Travel
ii. In-flight announcement about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed (preferable use of masks and following physical distancing) shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry.
iii. Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol i.e. the said passenger should be wearing mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow up treatment.
A.3. On arrival
iv. De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.
V. Thermal screening should be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry.
vi. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol (as above).
vii. The following protocol post arrival shall also be followed:
a) A sub-section (2% of the total passengers* in the flight) shall undergo random post arrival testing at the airport on arrival.
b) Such travellers in each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport thereafter.
c) If such travellers' samples are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
d) They shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.
viii. All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive.
Children under 12 years of age are exempted from post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol.
- PTC NEWS
