India revises rules for international arrivals over new Covid-19 variant, Omicron

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From Wednesday, a new set of rules will come into effect for international travellers arriving in India. Rules have been revised in view of rising concerns over emergence of new coronavirus variant, called 'Omicron', that has been termed as a "variant of concern" by WHO.

Among the latest guidelines, the Union health ministry has mandated RT-PCR test passengers arriving from ‘at-risk’ nations’. Countries designated as "at-risk" are European countries, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, etc.

According to the new guidelines, passengers arriving in India are required to submit the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha Portal before scheduled travel. They are also required to submit the last 14 days travel details.

Guidelines mandated uploading of negative RT-PCR test reports on Air Suvidha portal before journey. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.

Travellers from 'countries at-risk' will need to take Covid-19 test, post-arrival. They will be then asked to wait at the airport premises until result comes.

In case of a negative test result, the traveller will be asked to home-quarantine for 7 days as precautionary measure. They will have to take a retest on 8^th day. If negative, further self-monitor for the next 7 days.

In case of a positive test result, the samples will be sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network. Meanwhile, the passenger will be taken to a separate isolation facility.

5% of total flight passengers shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival.