2022, Corona, Corona news, Tour Planning

Travel Guidelines which was updated in 2021-22 during Covid

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has revised guidelines for international arrivals into India. As per the reports, these will come into effect from January 11, 2022. As per the rules, passengers originating/transiting from ‘at-risk’ countries, will now have to undergo ‘stringent isolation’ if they test positive on arrival.

This move comes in the wake of rising cases of the new variant, Omicron, in the country. Those transiting or originating via countries that are classified as ‘at risk’, shall have to be informed by the airline companies that they will be required to undergo post-arrival testing at Indian airports, and undergo quarantine as per the protocol. Also note, international passengers will not be allowed to exit the airport before the test results.

Further, all international travellers to India will need to register on Air Suvidha portal, and self-declare all their travel details; upload the negative report of COVID-19 that has been obtained within 72 hours; declare its authenticity; and submit an undertaking that they would abide by the decision of appropriate authority to undergo quarantine as per the revised guidelines.

International travellers are also required to pre-book their testing on arrival at Indian airports in advance.

Here are the guidelines for travellers arriving from countries at risk:

  • Submit a sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the airport, which would be self-paid.
  • They will have to wait for their test results at the airport before leaving or taking a connecting flight.
  • If their test results come negative, they will undergo a 7-day home quarantine, and will again have to undertake the RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival in India.
  • Travellers will also have to upload the results of a repeat RT-PCR test for Covid-19 done on the 8th day on Air Suvidha portal, which will be monitored by the respective States/UTs.
  • If their test result comes negative again, they will be required to further self-monitor their health for next 7 days.
  • But if they test positive, their samples would be sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
  • Those test positive, will be managed at an isolation facility and treated as per laid down standard protocol including contact tracing.
  • Those who came in contact with such a positive case, would be advised to undergo home quarantine, which will be monitored strictly by the concerned State Government.

Here are the India International Travel Guidelines for travellers arriving form not ‘at risk’ countries:

  • Around 2% of the total flight passengers will undergo post-arrival testing, which will be carried out randomly at the airport on arrival.
  • They will be identified by the concerned airlines.
  • Laboratories will prioritise testing of samples from such travellers.
  • All incoming passengers, as well as those 2 per cent whose result has come negative, will have to undergo home quarantine for 7 days, and shall undertake RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival in India.
                                    • They will then have to upload the results of the repeat RT-PCR test for Covid-19 done on 8th day on Air Suvidha portal, which will be monitored by the respective States/UTs.
  • If the result is negative, they will be required to self-monitor their health for the next 7 days.
  • However, if their result comes positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
  • They will then be managed at an isolation facility and treated as per standard protocol, including contact tracing.

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2021, Corona

Public health considerations while resuming international travel

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR RESUMING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Each country should conduct a risk-benefit analysis and decide on its priorities.

WHO recommends that priority should be given to essential travel for emergencies, humanitarian actions (including emergency medical flights and medical evacuation), travel of essential personnel (including emergency responders and providers of public health technical support, critical personnel in transport sector such as seafarers[5] and diplomatic officers), and repatriation. Cargo transport should also be prioritized for essential medical, food and energy supplies. Sick travellers and persons at risk including elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions, should delay or avoid travelling internationally to and from areas with community transmission.

There is no “zero risk” when considering the potential importation or exportation of cases in the context of international travel. Therefore, thorough and continuous risk assessment and management will help identify, reduce and mitigate those risks, while balancing the socio-economic consequences of travel measures (or temporary restrictions) against potential adverse public health consequences.

The decision process should include an analysis of the situation, taking into account the local context in countries of departure and destination. The following factors should be considered: local epidemiology and transmission patterns, the national public health and social measures for controlling the outbreaks in both departure and in destination countries; public health and health service capacity at national and subnational levels to manage suspect and confirmed cases among travellers, including at points of entry (ports, airports, ground crossings) to mitigate and manage the risk of importation or exportation of the disease; and the evolving knowledge about COVID-19 transmission and its clinical features.

Pashupati travels advice to care full precaution while travelling anywhere.

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