Considering the rise in the number of coronavirus cases, the Union health ministry on Sunday issued a set of revised guidelines for international passengers which will come into effect from August 8. According to the new guidelines, all travellers would need to give an undertaking on the online portal www.newdelhiairport.in that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Out of 14 days, seven days will be paid institutional quarantine at the cost of passengers followed by seven days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health.
“Only for compelling reasons/cases of human distress such as pregnancy, death in family, serious illness and parent(s) with children of the age of 10 years or below, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days,” the ministry said. “If they wish to seek such exemption, they shall apply on the online portal at least 72 hours before boarding. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the portal will be final,” it said.
The travellers can also seek exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report on arrival. This test should have been conducted within 96 hours prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be uploaded on the portal for consideration, the guidelines stated.
“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 test report could also be produced upon arrival at the point of entry at airport in India,” it said.
Before boarding the plane or ship, the guidelines said the dos and don’ts shall be provided along with the tickets to travellers by the agencies concerned. All passengers shall also be advised to download Arogya Setu application on their mobile devices, it said.
“Passengers arriving through the land borders will also have to undergo the same protocol as above, and only those who are asymptomatic will be enabled to cross the border into India,” it added.