7-Day Quarantine Compulsory For All International Travelers Arriving In India; Mandatory Test On 8th Day

The government has issued new guidelines for international passengers arriving in India.

Even if tested negative, they will have to undergo home quarantine for seven days upon arrival and a RT-PCR test on the eighth day.

Protocol

If tested positive, they will be sent to an isolation facility and their samples will be sent for genome testing.

Passengers seated near them and cabin crew will be treated as contacts.

If tested negative, they will have to self-monitor for next seven days.

If they develop signs and symptoms suggesting Covid or test positive on re-testing during this period, they are required to immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility.

Exception

Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre-and post-arrival testing.

But if they are found symptomatic on arrival or during home quarantine, they will undergo testing and treatment.

Arrivals From At-Risk Countries

The number of “at-risk” countries has also been increased from 10 to 19.

Passengers originating or transiting from any of those countries will have to undergo post arrival testing, quarantine if tested negative, stringent isolation protocols if tested positive.

They will have to wait for their test results at the airport prior to leaving or boarding a connecting flight.

Thereby passengers arriving from at-risk countries have been advised to book their tests in advance.

Arrivals From Other Countries

The list of ‘at risk’ countries currently include countries in Europe and the UK, South Africa, Israel, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mauritius and several countries in Africa.

2% of those arriving from countries that are not on the “at-risk” list will be picked randomly to be tested on arrival.

The new guidelines will be valid with effect from 11th January 2022 (00.01 Hrs IST) till further orders.