New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday informed Omicron that the situation will be closely followed in consultation with other ministries with regard to “any further decision” on resumption of scheduled international passenger services. Monitoring and review is being done.
The government recently decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to India from December 15 as services have been suspended since March 23 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Jyotiraditya Scindia said the decision to resume flights from December 15 was taken after considering the increase in vaccination coverage across the world, changing the nature of the pandemic and health protocols, which That place for international arrivals.
The Civil Aviation Minister wrote, “However, in view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new forms of concern, the situation is being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other Ministries, to take any further decisions on the issue.” In,” wrote the Civil Aviation Minister, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The response comes after the Home Ministry said on Sunday that the central government will review the decision to resume scheduled commercial international passenger service on December 15.
“As per the evolving global scenario, the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger service will be reviewed. The emerging pandemic situation within the country will be closely monitored,” the MHA statement read.
At present, international passenger flights are being operated in a restricted manner under bilateral air bubble arrangements with various countries.
By 24 November, India had formalized the air bubble arrangement with 31 countries.
VK Singh, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, said in a separate written reply to the Upper House, the arrangement provides for air travel bubble arrangement to provide direct/indirect connectivity to more than 100 countries.
Responding to a question whether airfare for students and family members returning from Europe and North America is doubling and even quadrupling this winter, the Minister of State pointed out that airlines As per the fare details furnished, the average fare for travel by economy class under air bubble arrangement is equal to the average fare during the winter 2019 schedule.
Read also | Omicron Scare: Health Ministry revises guidelines for international arrivals in India, effective December 1
Revised Guidelines for International Arrivals
The Union Health Ministry on Sunday issued revised ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’.
The updated guidelines require all passengers, regardless of the status of COVID-19 vaccination, on arrival other than pre-departure COVID-19 passengers arriving from countries identified as ‘at-risk countries’ in India Compulsorily required to undergo COVID-19 test on arrival at the airport. 19 tests were conducted 72 hours before departure.
For passengers found positive in these tests, they will be isolated and treated as per protocol, while their samples will be sent for whole genome sequencing. Passengers found negative can depart from the airport, but will have to be in home isolation for seven days, followed by a re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India, followed by 7 days of self-monitoring.
The guidelines also mandate that 5 per cent of passengers arriving from countries that are not in the ‘risk category’ should be tested for COVID-19 at airports on a random basis.
The health ministry said states have been advised to ensure strict surveillance of international travellers, increased testing, surveillance of COVID-19 hotspots, augmentation of health infrastructure, Including samples for whole genome sequencing.
(with agency input)
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