The Center on Thursday revised guidelines for international arrivals, removing demarcation of ‘at-risk’ countries, which were specified during the onset of the Omicron variant, and recommended self-monitoring for 14 days as opposed to the current 7-day home quarantine rule . The new guidelines will come into effect from February 14, the Union Health Ministry said.
“Besides uploading negative RT-PCR report (taken 72 hrs prior to journey), option to upload certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination provided from countries on a reciprocal basis,” he said.
The Center recommended 14 days of self-monitoring as opposed to seven-day home quarantine that is currently the mandate. “If travelers under self health-monitoring, develop signs and symptoms suggestive of Covid-19, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number 1075/state helpline number,” the revised guidelines stated.
As per the new guidelines, all foreign arrivals must fill a self-declaration form online (available at the Air Suvidha web portal), including a travel history of the past 14 days. They must also upload a negative RT-PCR test that was conducted within 72 hours of the travel date.
“Random sampling of 2% of International Travelers from all countries on arrival. Travelers can give sample & are allowed to leave the airport,” Mandaviya said in a tweet.
On arrival, in addition to thermal screening, passengers selected at random (up to two per cent of total passengers per flight) will be asked to undergo RT-PCR tests. Passengers will be selected by the airline and must “preferably be” from different countries, according to the guidelines.
Passengers found to be symptomatic will be immediately quarantined and tested, with contact tracing carried out if they are found to be Covid-positive.
The Center has also dispensed the need for undertaking RT-PCR test on the 8th day and uploading the result on Air Suvidha portal.
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