India reduces COVID-19 RT-PCR tests for overseas flyers

DELHI (NEW):On Wednesday, the Indian government said that it will relax its requirements for international tourists now that the globe had returned to a new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indian authorities have announced that they will stop randomly testing 2% of overseas passengers beginning on July 20 as the country recovers from the virus.When the pandemic was at its height in India and around the world, the Centre issued recommendations for international travellers.

The Union Health Ministry has further relaxed guidelines for overseas visitors in the context of Covid-19 “taking note of the prevalent COVID-19 situation and the significant achievements made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage across the globe,” according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The new rules will be implemented at seaports, land borders, and airports alike. “However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures to be followed by airlines and international travellers shall continue to apply,” the statement read.

Three years after its initial statement, the WHO stated on May 6 that it is terminating its highest level of warning for Covid-19, adding that countries should now handle the virus in conjunction with other infectious diseases. The international health agency however noted that the decision did not mean the threat had passed and warned that emergency status may be reintroduced if circumstances warranted it.

The health ministry has stated that India will still be monitoring the Covid-19 situation despite the decision to suspend random testing. “The Ministry continues to closely monitor the Covid-19 scenario,” the statement said. However, some restrictions are likely to remain in place.

According to the ministry’s recommendation, all tourists should ideally be up-to-date on their Covid-19 vaccinations according to the primary immunisation schedule recommended in their country.

The ministry stated, “In-flight announcements about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry, including precautionary measures to be followed, preferential use of masks, and following physical distancing.”

The standard procedure states that “any passenger having symptoms of Covid during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol and said passenger shall be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility thereafter for follow-up treatment.”

At the airport, “de-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing,” as the new regulations put it.

According to the rules, after a traveller arrives, they should keep an eye on their health and contact the nearest health institution or the national helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number if they see any symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. Health inspectors at the airport entry point were also instructed to conduct thermal screenings on all passengers. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has posted the revised instructions on its website.