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India’s Health ministry eases Covid-19 Rules for International Passengers; Drops Random RT-PCR Tests on Arrival
The new guidelines will come into effect from 12 am of 20 July, 2023, the health ministry said.
- By PharmaNews Live Desk
- New Delhi
- Jul 19, 2023
While easing the COVID-19 guidelines for international flyers, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday informed that there will be no RT-PCR-based testing of a random 2% subset of international travelers to India.
The new guidelines will come into effect from 12 am of 20 July, 2023, the Health Ministry said.
India has witnessed a major dip in COVID cases.
"Taking note of the prevalent COVID-19 situation and the significant achievements made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage across the globe, the Union Health Ministry has further eased guidelines for international travellers in the context of COVID-19. Vide these new guidelines, which shall come into effect from 0000 Hrs (IST) of 20% July 2023 the earlier requirements for RT-PCR based testing of a random 2% subset of international travellers to India, now stand dropped,” said the Health Ministry in a statement.
However, the Ministry stated that the precautionary measures other than the RT-PCR based COVID-19 testing will be followed and will continue to apply for airlines as well as international travellers.
It advised for all travellers to be fully vaccinated as per the approved schedule of vaccination in their country. The press release mentioned that the ministry continues to follow the COVID-19 scenario closely.
The Ministry stated that any passenger showing coronavirus symptoms during travel should be wearing a face mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility for follow-up treatment.
“All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19”, the Ministry’s guidelines stated.
The guidelines also mentioned protocols for international passengers at arrival, while on flight and de-boarding. “Airlines are required to make in-flight announcements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed such as usage of masks and physical distancing”, said the Ministry’s statement.