Introduction
The global trajectory of COVID–19 pandemic continues to decline with certain regional variations. The
need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS–CoV–2 variants of
concern (VOCs) must still remain in focus. The existing guidelines (issued on 17th February 2021 with
subsequent addendums) for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk–based
approach. In view increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the
pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed.
Scope
This document provides protocols to be complied with international travellers as well those to be
followed by airlines, points of entry (airports, seaports and land border) for risk profiling of passengers.
This Standard Operating Procedure shall be valid w.e.f. 25th October 2021 (00.00 Hrs IST) till further
orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document shall be reviewed from time to time.
A.1. Planning for Travel
i. All travellers should
a. Submit self–declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal
(www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel
b. Upload a negative COVID–19 RT–PCR report. This test should have been conducted
within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey.
c. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the
report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise
ii. They should also give an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to Ministry of Civil Aviation,
Government of India, through concerned airlines before they are allowed to undertake the
journey that they would abide by the decision of the appropriate government authority to
undergo home quarantine/ self–health monitoring, as warranted.
iii. Continuing with the earlier approach, travellers from certain specified Countries (based on
epidemiological situation of COVID–19 in those Countries) are identified for additional follow
up. These include need for additional measures as detailed in para (xv) below. The listing of
such specified Countries is a dynamic exercise based on evolving situation of COVID–19 across
the world and will be made available on the websites of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
(mohfw.gov.in) and the link of the same will be available at website of Ministry of External
Affairs and Air Suvidha Portal.
iv. There are Countries which have agreement with India on mutual recognition of vaccination
certificates of Nationally recognised or WHO recognised vaccines. Similarly, there are
Countries which presently do not have such an agreement with India, but they exempt Indian
citizens fully vaccinated with Nationally recognised or WHO recognised vaccines. On the basis
of reciprocity, the travellers from all such Countries which provide quarantine–free entry to
Indians are allowed certain relaxations on arrival (Category A Countries). The listing of such
Countries is available on websites of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (mohfw.gov.in) and
the link of the same will be available at website of Ministry of External Affairs and Air Suvidha
Portal. This is also a dynamic list and will be updated from time to time. The travellers from
Category A Countries shall upload their fully vaccinated* certificate on the Air Suvidha portal.
A.2. Before Boarding
v. Do’s and Don’ts shall be provided along with ticket to the travellers by the airlines/agencies
concerned.
vi. Airlines to allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled in the Self Declaration
Form on the Air Suvidha portal, uploaded the negative RT–PCR test report.
vii. At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after
thermal screening.
viii. All passengers shall be advised to download Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices.
A.3. During Travel
ix. In–flight announcement about COVID–19 including precautionary measures to be followed
shall be made at airports and in flights and during transit.
x. During in–flight crew shall ensure that COVID appropriate behaviour is followed at all times.
xi. If any passenger reports symptoms of COVID–19 during flight, he/she shall be isolated as per
protocol.
A.4. On arrival
xii. Deboarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.
xiii. Thermal screening would be carried out in respect of all the passengers by the health officials
present at the airport. The self–declaration form filled online shall be shown to the airport
health staff.
xiv. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and
taken to medical facility as per health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts shall be
identified and managed as per laid down protocol#.
xv. Travellers from specified Countries at risk [as mentioned in para (iii) above] will follow the
protocol as detailed below:
a. If traveller is coming from a Country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for
mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID–19 vaccines (Category A):
i. If fully vaccinated*: They shall be allowed to leave the airport and shall self–
monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.
ii. If partially/not vaccinated: The travellers need to undertake the following
measures:
Submission of sample for post–arrival COVID–19 test at the point of arrival
after which they will be allowed to leave the airport,
Home quarantine for 7 days,
Re–test on the 8th day of arrival in India and if negative, further self–
monitor of their health for next 7 days.
b. If traveller is coming from a Country excluding those covered under Category A, they
would be required to undergo the measures as mentioned in para a (ii) above,
irrespective of their COVID–19 vaccination status.
xvi. Travellers from Countries excluding those Countries at risk, will be allowed to leave the airport
and shall self–monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival. 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.
xvii. Travellers under home quarantine or self–health monitoring, if develop signs and symptoms
suggestive of COVID–19 or test positive for COVID–19 on re–testing, they will immediately self–
isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State
Helpline Number.
International travellers arriving at seaports/land ports
xviii. International travellers arriving through seaports/land ports will also have to undergo the
same protocol as above, except that facility for online registration is not available for such
passengers currently.
xix. Such travellers shall submit the self–declaration form to the concerned authorities of
Government of India at seaports/land ports on arrival.
* 15 days must have elapsed since completion of COVID–19 vaccination schedule
# Contacts of the suspect case are the co–passengers seated in the same row, 3 rows in front and 3
rows behind along with identified Cabin Crew. Also, all the community contacts of those travellers
who have tested positive (during home quarantine period) would be subjected to quarantine for 14
days and tested as per ICMR protocol.
