India: Authorities modifying entry testing rules for international passengers from Feb. 22; commercial flights limited through Feb. 28 /update 38

Event

India is modifying entry procedures for international arrivals effective 2359 Feb. 22 as part of its COVID-19 measures. Passengers must register online through the Air Suvidha portal and upload negative results of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure. No quarantine is mandated for asymptomatic arrivals; officials are advising self-monitoring for 14 days. Due to concerns about COVID-19 variants, those with travel history to Europe, Middle East, and the UK in the past 14 days must also undergo additional self-paid on-arrival COVID-19 testing. Travelers from these nations who test negative for COVID-19 on arrival - except for those from Brazil, South Africa, and the UK - must self-monitor their health for 14 days; however, passengers from Brazil, South Africa, and the UK who test negative must quarantine for seven days at their residence and undergo further testing. Those with a positive result at any point must undergo institutional quarantine. States may impose further restrictions on travelers from specified high-risk locations. Inbound international passenger flights remain limited to charter, repatriation, and approved flights under bilateral "air bubble" agreements through at least 2359 Feb. 28.

Domestic curbs in areas outside containment zones continue. People must wear facemasks in public, at workplaces, and on public transportation. Residents and establishments must adhere to social distancing rules. Fines are mandated for violators in most states. States are free to determine limits on indoor gatherings and recreational venues. Various states have reopened educational institutions or plan to do so in February, mainly for higher classes. However, suspension of classes for lower grades, large sports facilities, and some public venues continue in most areas. Businesses must utilize telecommuting to the extent possible. Regional variations are almost certain to continue, with some states like Kerala and Maharashtra intermittently extending or reimposing business, transport, and movement controls in light of increasing cases.

Public buses, metro trains, rail services, and most private transport outside containment zones with COVID-19 clusters are operational with social distancing measures. Officials permit limited domestic flights; most asymptomatic interstate travelers do not require testing or quarantine, especially if registered for short trips lasting less than seven days. Testing is mandatory for or upon entry into some regions, such as Uttarakhand State, union territories of Andaman and Nicobar, and Jammu and Kashmir. Although permission is not necessary for interdistrict and interstate travel, some local authorities require prior online registration, mainly in northeastern states with special entry requirements due to tribal populations. Most domestic and international travels require registration on the national Aarogya Setu mobile application and state-specific online portals for contact tracing purposes. State authorities are likely to modify guidelines at short notice according to the local situation.

There are no easing of measures in containment zones, which are areas within 1 km (0.6 miles) of a reported COVID-19 cluster with four or more cases; local administrations may extend the zone beyond 1 km based on risk factors. State administration and police will continue to enforce and facilitate control measures. Residents must stay indoors except for emergency purposes. Officials typically deliver essential supplies to homes; door-to-door health screening is likely. Business operations, private and public transport, and entry or exit are banned; workplaces and industries may operate with special permissions according to local rules. Cargo transit is typically unaffected. Emergency, essential, and utility services will remain operational.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities are advising Indian citizens to delay all nonessential international travel. Officials allow persons of all nationalities to enter the country through open land, sea, or air routes on any visa type other than tourism. Indian consulates will issue new visas upon approval; authorities will also consider existing visas - except electronic, medical, and tourist categories - as valid. Foreign nationals already in the country can apply online to avail of a free visa extension valid for 30 days after regular international commercial flights resume.

As of Feb. 18, "air bubbles" for commercial flights are operational or planned between India and 24 countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, UAE, UK, and the US. However, officials are only allowing reduced flights between India and the UK, as well as limiting the arrival of flights from the UK to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai airports through Feb. 28. Modifications to such bilateral arrangements are possible at short notice.

International passengers traveling for emergency reasons need prior approval to enter without negative results of a PCR test for COVID-19; they must undergo on-arrival testing. Passengers requiring on-arrival paid testing facilities - available at the Bengaluru (BLR), Cochin (COK), Delhi (DEL), Hyderabad (HYD), and Mumbai (BOM) airports - must pre-book tests via the Air Suvidha portal and wait eight hours for negative test results before boarding a connecting flight or exiting the airport. Different states may impose variable quarantine and testing requirements; those seeking exemptions and waivers must do so from authorities in all intended destinations and transit states before arrival.

Citizens, residents, and long-term visa holders of foreign countries looking to exit India must confirm entry eligibility with the intended destination country's embassy and book their tickets through air carriers' websites. Additional modifications to measures could be introduced in the coming days, especially if the number of in-country cases increases.

Advice

Follow all official instructions; minimize outdoor activity to the extent possible. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Do not check out of accommodation without confirming onward travel. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Carry proper identification documents, heed all security advisories.

Resources

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Help Page
Bureau of Immigration
World Health Organization (WHO)
Air India
Air Suvidha Portal