Union Health Ministry revises guidelines for international arrivals amid concerns on new Covid -19 variant Omicron

In view of reporting of new variant of Covid-19 named Omicron, Union Health Ministry has revised guidelines for international arrivals in India to be effective from 1st December. The Ministry has mandated submitting 14 days travel details, uploading negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha portal before the journey. The RT-PCR test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.

As per Health Ministry's guidelines, travelers from 'countries at-risk' will need to take COVID test post-arrival and wait for results at airport. If tested negative they will follow home quarantine for 7 days, re-test on 8th day and if negative, further self-monitor for next 7 days.

Travelers from countries excluding those countries at risk will be allowed to leave airport and shall self-monitor health for 14 days. A sub-section 5 percent of total flight passengers shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival.

The cost of the testing of such travelers will be borne by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

International travelers arriving through seaports/land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol. As per the new guideline, Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre-and post-arrival testing.

However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol.