India: Authorities update list of high-risk international locations as of Nov. 27 due to new COVID-19 variant /update 51

Event

Authorities have updated the country's list of high-risk international locations as of Nov. 27 due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Officials have added Hong Kong and Israel following confirmed cases of the new variant locally; the updated list of high-risk locations include Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, China (including Hong Kong), Israel, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and all countries in Europe, including the UK. Authorities may amend the list on short notice in the coming weeks as new cases of the COVID-19 variant emerge in other locations; additional restrictions, including flight bans from affected locations, remain possible.

International Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated travelers from these high-risk locations but with existing mutual vaccination recognition arrangements with India do not need to undergo on-arrival testing or quarantine. However, they must self-monitor their health for 14 days after arrival. Countries with this arrangement with India include Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Israel, Mauritius, Singapore, Zimbabwe, and countries in Europe, including the UK. Travelers from these countries who are not fully vaccinated, as well as any passengers from the remaining high-risk countries without mutual vaccination recognition arrangements with India, must undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, quarantine at their residence for seven days, and take another COVID-19 test on the eighth day to leave quarantine. If the individual tests positive on the second test, they must quarantine for an additional seven days. People arriving from low-risk countries do not need to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival but must self-monitor their health for 14 days.

Most inbound international commercial flights remain banned. Charter, repatriation, and approved commercial flights under bilateral "air bubble" agreements in and out of India can continue operating. Authorities have resumed issuing visas to international tourists on chartered flights. International passengers must register online through the Air Suvidha portal and upload negative results of an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours before departure.

International passengers traveling for emergency reasons need prior approval to enter without negative results of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test and must undergo on-arrival testing. Entrants requiring on-arrival paid testing facilities - available at several airports, including Bengaluru (BLR), Cochin (COK), Delhi (DEL), Hyderabad (HYD), and Mumbai (BOM) - 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.

States may impose varying quarantine and testing requirements; those seeking exemptions and waivers must do so from authorities in all intended destination 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.

Domestic Restrictions
Varying domestic measures remain in effect across the country. People must wear facemasks in public, at workplaces, and on transportation in some areas. Several states are mandating fines for violators of social distancing rules. Officials in some areas continue to suspend educational institutions, sports facilities, recreational venues, religious sites, and tourist spots, as well as most gatherings. Regional variations in business, transport, and movement restrictions will almost certainly continue.

Public buses, metro trains, rail services, domestic flights, and private transport are operational with limited passenger capacities in most localities. Several domestic and international travels require registration on the national Aarogya Setu mobile application and state-specific online portals for contact tracing purposes. The enforcement level of the measures is unclear.

Areas with a high COVID-19 test positivity rate may implement localized and short-term stricter rules, including exit and entry controls and requiring residents to stay indoors. Curfews are also possible in localities with increased COVID-19 activity.

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