Government of India has issued the following guidelines for International Arrivals (in supersession of guidelines issued on the subject on 21 November 2022).
Coimbatore: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’ in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and updated the same from time to time. The present guidelines are being revised in light of the increasing trajectory of COVID-19 cases being noted in some countries across the world.
Planning for Travel
All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.
During Travel
In-flight announcements about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed (preferable use of masks and following physical distancing) shall be made on flights/travel and at all points of entry.
Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol i.e. the said passenger should be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow-up treatment.
On arrival
De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.
Thermal screening should be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry.
The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, and taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol (as above).
The following protocol post arrival shall also be followed:
A sub-section (2% of the total passengers* in the flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival.
Such travellers on each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport thereafter.
If such travellers’ samples are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network.
They shall be treated/isolated as per the laid down standard protocol.
All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call the National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive.
Children under 12 years of age are exempted from post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival, or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and be treated as per the laid down protocol.
Planning for Travel
All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.
During Travel
In-flight announcements about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed (preferable use of masks and following physical distancing) shall be made on flights/travel and at all points of entry.
Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol i.e. the said passenger should be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow-up treatment.
On arrival
De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.
Thermal screening should be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry.
The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, and taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol (as above).
The following protocol post arrival shall also be followed:
A sub-section (2% of the total passengers* in the flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival.
Such travellers on each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport thereafter.
If such travellers’ samples are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network.
They shall be treated/isolated as per the laid down standard protocol.
All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call the National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive.
Children under 12 years of age are exempted from post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival, or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and be treated as per the laid down protocol.