Easy Landing in India

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India is a developing country with a sizable population. However, other factors make it an appealing destination for visitors from all over the world. India has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. In 2019, India received 10 million international tourists. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on that. COVID-19 has brought about many beneficial developments for international tourists visiting India. This virus spread in stages over three years, affecting people of all ages. Tourism was prohibited all over the world as a result of incalculable losses and millions of people battling for their lives. Travel was stalled, and guests were trapped. However, as 2022 approaches, the government has relaxed limitations on international travel and inked an air bubble agreement with COVID-infected countries.

Air bubble agreement with COVID infected countries

The Indian government has inked an air bubble agreement with COVID-infected countries. Air Bubble Arrangements were temporary agreements between two countries to reestablish commercial passenger services after regular international flights were suspended because of the COVID-19 epidemic. India had air-bubble agreements with 37 countries, including Australia. Canada, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, Russia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), and so on.

The air bubble arrangements ended with the resumption of regular commercial passenger flights on March 27, 2022.

Resumption of Visa Services

Tourists can now travel across India’s borders. International commercial flights resumed on March 27, 2022. It is now possible to obtain a tourist visa for India and go there on a commercial airplane. Previously, only specific countries could fly to India via “air bubble” flights.

Foreign citizens from over 160 countries can apply online for an Indian visa. Pre-departure testing and a health declaration form are still required. Tourists from a variety of countries can now apply for an eVisa for India. Commercial flights have restarted, and there are currently various international routes available. Tourist visas are being phased in gradually in India. Priority was originally given to passengers on chartered flights. Tourists can now fly commercially to India. Despite being eligible, several nationalities are still unable to apply online for an e-Visa to India. Tourists should stay up to date on the newest travel information and double-check their visa needs.

Important Guidelines for Vaccinated International Tourists

The criteria for international visitors coming to India have been reviewed and created using a risk-based approach. The Indian government has made the following changes to the protocols for overseas travelers:

• On the Air Suvidha portal, fill out a self-declaration form.
• When filling out the Self-Declaration Form, include the date of vaccination.
• Carry a Certificate of Completion of the COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule (to be verified by Airport Officials).
• When you arrive in India, exit the airport or catch a connecting flight.
• After they arrive, keep an eye on their health over the next 14 days.
• On arrival, 2% of passengers on each flight will be randomly examined. If such passengers are discovered to be symptomatic or tested positive, they must be treated under the established protocol

Important Guidelines for all Non-Vaccinated International Tourists

If you have not finished a COVID-19 vaccine series, you should continue to avoid non-essential travel to all destinations. If you’re going to India after September 7, 2022, observe these guidelines:

Planning for Travel

• Before their planned flight, all travelers must submit complete and accurate information in the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha site, including trip records from the previous 14 days.
• Please submit a COVID-19 RT-PCR data that is negative (The test should have been conducted within 72 hrs before undertaking the journey)
• Before embarking on the journey, they should also give an undertaking to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, through the concerned airlines, that they will abide by the decision of the appropriate government authority regarding any post-arrival requirement to undergo home or institutional quarantine or self-health monitoring, as warranted.

Before Boarding

• Only passengers who have completed the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal and uploaded the negative RT-PCR test report are allowed to board.
• Only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the flight after thermal scanning.

During Travel In-flight

• During the flight, the crew must guarantee that COVID-appropriate behavior is followed at all times.
• If a person exhibits COVID-19 symptoms while in flight, he or she will be isolated under the policy.
• To reduce congestion at the arrival airports, airlines should make proper in-flight announcements about the testing requirements and the persons who need to undertake such testing.

On arrival

• De-boarding should be performed to ensure physical separation.
• Thermal screening would be performed on all passengers by health experts stationed at the airport. Airport health personnel must see the online self-declaration form.
• Passengers who exhibit symptoms during screening must be immediately segregated and transported to a medical facility by health procedures. If they test positive, their contacts must be identified and monitored per protocol.

Post Arrival

• On arrival, 2% of the total passengers on the trip will be subjected to random post-arrival testing.
• If such travelers test positive, they must be treated or isolated under the usual protocol.
• For the next 14 days following their arrival, all travelers will self-monitor their health.
• If travelers who are self-monitoring their health experience COVID-19-like signs and symptoms, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health institution or call the National Helpline Number (1075) or State Helpline Number.

International travelers landing at seaports or land ports

• International passengers arriving at seaports or land ports must follow the same procedure as described above, with the exception that online registration is not yet possible for such passengers.
• On arrival, such travelers must submit the self-declaration form to the competent authorities of the Government of India at seaports or land ports.

Conclusion

The pandemic caused widespread civilian casualties. People were terrified, medical facilities were overcrowded, and physicians and nurses were agitated. Tourism and other companies, on the other hand, suffered severely. Big enterprises lost a lot of money, while small business owners had to transfer careers by doing modest employment. All of this is merely a snapshot of the devastating virus’s global impact. However, travel and tourism have gradually resumed with strict guidelines. I hope you found this post to be useful.