Negative Covid report mandatory for international travellers on arrival to India: Centre

The revised guidelines will come into effect from Oct 25.

It will require a mandatory RT-PCR report showing samples tested as negative for passengers to board an international flight to India.

“In view of increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed,” the ministry of health and family welfare said in a notification.

As per the revised guideline, all travellers should submit self-declaration forms on the online Air Suvidha portal before the scheduled travel and upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report.

"This test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey. 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 notification read.

Travellers from countries excluding those at risk, will be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.

On arrival, passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to a medical facility as per health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed as per laid down protocol, the guideline said.

"This is applicable to travellers from all countries including countries with which reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines also exist," the health ministry said.

International travellers arriving through seaports or land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol, except that facility for online registration is not available for such passengers currently.