The union government of India, on November 21, cancelled Air Suvidha forms for international passengers.
Air Suvidha is a contactless solution by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health Family Welfare, which is facilitated by Delhi Airport for all international passengers coming to India.
Air Suvidha is a self-declaration for International arriving passengers.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the decision to discontinue the self-deceleration will begin from 22 November.
Following the announcement people flying into India from abroad will no longer need to fill out the Air Suvidha form from November 21-22 midnight and will also not be required to take a RT-PCR COVID-19 test.
Passengers, including children of five years and above, had to get RTPCR tests before boarding a flight back to India since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RTPCR tests on foreign shores are typically costlier than in India.
Also, it is no longer mandatory for international arrivals to be vaccinated — though it remains preferable. The relaxation comes days after India had made it optional — though, again preferable, — for air travellers to remain masked on aircraft and at airports.
Passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol.
All travellers will need to self-monitor their health post arrival.
The government’s move has come as a big relief for the NRIs across the world who often travel home back. “This is a welcoming decision, which will reduce burden on international passengers while travelling back to India,” said Farook Portfolio, CEO, Portway Travel, Jubail, KSA.
Last week, the government made wearing masks optional for passengers flying domestic and international flights due to the vastly improved pandemic situation.
The guidelines have been revised in light of sustained declining Covid-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in Covid-19 vaccination coverage both globally and in India.
India has been lifting Covid time restrictions like those on domestic airfare range; in-flight meal and beverage serving/selling; number of domestic flights allowed; restriction on scheduled international flights and testing and quarantine requirements as the pandemic situation improved over the past few quarters.
Comments
Add new comment