New Delhi: In a move aimed at boosting the economy through tourism, the government has decided to lift the Covid barrier for international travellers, and the Ministry of Affairs will start granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India from November 15.
A negative RT-PCR result not older than 72 hours has been made mandatory for passengers travelling to India from the UK, Europe and the Middle East, as well as from South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. The move comes after the discovery of a new Covid variant - C.1.2 - that was first detected in South Africa in May, which could be more infectious and has shown signs of evading protection provided by vaccines.
As per the new guidelines, only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the flights to India and on arrival, they will again be tested for Covid through RT-PCR test.
Additionally, Indians who are fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in Britain, the High Commissioner to India said on October 7, ending a row over what was perceived as unfair imposition of COVID-19 quarantine rules.
Travel restrictions have been eased in several states and Union Territories across India as COVID-19 cases continue to decline after a devastating second wave. States like Uttarakhand, Delhi and Maharashtra are among those that have removed various restrictions placed on air, rail and road travel.
Here are the Live Updates on Covid travel rules:
Sep 24, 2021 12:46 (IST)
UK 10-Day Quarantine Rule For Indians "Discriminatory": Government
The UK's decision of 10-day quarantine for those vaccinated with Covishield in India is "discriminatory" and New Delhi reserves the right to reciprocate in a similar manner, the government said Thursday. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan told a press conference both the countries are engaged in a dialogue on the matter.
Sep 18, 2021 14:29 (IST)
COVID-19 Latest Update: Abu Dhabi Cancels Covid Entry Testing For UAE Travellers
Abu Dhabi will cancel COVID-19 testing requirements to enter the emirate for travellers from the UAE starting on Sunday, the United Arab Emirates' state news agency WAM said on Saturday, according to Reuters. The UAE's capital had restricted entry into the emirate to those with a negative PCR test. Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi removed the need to quarantine for all vaccinated travellers arriving from international destinations.
Sep 13, 2021 01:17 (IST)
South Africa Announces 'Vaccine Passport' Plans, Eases Covid Curbs
The South African president has announced plans to introduce COVID-19 "vaccine passports" amid widespread scepticism of the jab, ahead of an easing of movement restrictions this week, reported AFP. After sluggish vaccine procurement and a delayed roll out, Africa's worst-hit country for Covid is now struggling with low take-up, particularly among men. Meanwhile, a night-time curfew will be shortened, starting at 11:00 pm instead of 10, and limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings will be increased in the country. Restrictions on the sale of alcohol will also be relaxed, although face masks remain mandatory in public.
Sep 10, 2021 21:45 (IST)
UAE Allows Return Of Fully Vaccinated From 15 Nations, Including India
The UAE on Friday said it will allow the return of those vaccinated fully with WHO-approved COVID-19 jabs and holding valid residence visas from 15 countries previously on the suspended list, including India, from September 12.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) in a tweet shared an official statement saying that those who can return also include those who stayed abroad for over six months.
"UAE allows return of fully vaccinated (WHO-approved vaccines) holders of valid residence visa, including those who stayed abroad for over six months, starting from September 12, 2021," the statement said.
The decision covers passengers coming from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Giving details about the arrival requirements, it said that passengers can apply via the website of the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and complete the vaccination application in order to get the necessary approval in addition to presenting the approved vaccination certification upon departure for the UAE.
Sep 04, 2021 17:02 (IST)
COVID-19 News: Philippines Lifts Travel Ban On India, 9 Other Countries
The Philippines on Saturday decided to welcome travellers from India and nine other countries from September 6, according to a Presidential Palace announcement, reported news agency PTI. The announcement came even as the country recorded its second highest number of COVID-19 cases with 20,310 infections on Friday, pushing the national tally to 2.04 million, The Manila Times newspaper reported. The other countries are Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, an official said.
Sep 01, 2021 16:18 (IST)
Italy Extends Covid Green Pass To Trains, Planes, Ferries And Coaches
Italy broadened usage of its Green Pass health document on Wednesday, making it obligatory for people to have it when travelling on high-speed trains, planes, ferries and inter-regional coaches, reported Reuters. The Green Pass is a digital or paper certificate showing whether someone has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, has tested negative or has recently recovered from the virus. Prime Minister Mario Draghi introduced the pass earlier in the summer to try to encourage people to get vaccinated.
Aug 30, 2021 22:30 (IST)
European Union Removes US From Covid Safe List For Non-Essential Travel
The European Union today removed six territories including the US from its list of countries exempted from restrictions on non-essential travel during the coronavirus pandemic, reported AFP. "Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United States of America were removed from the list," a statement from the European Council said.
The recommendation from the Council, which represents the member state governments, is not binding on national capitals, which may yet choose to allow fully vaccinated US travellers to visit despite concerns about rising numbers of Covid cases in the country. But most EU members have followed Brussels' travel advice during the crisis so far.
Aug 30, 2021 20:39 (IST)
Update: Travel Curbs At Kerala-Karnataka Border To Continue, Says Official
Restrictions on the movement of people enforced at the border with Kerala will continue as there has been no change in the Covid-19 situation in Kerala, Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) district Deputy Commissioner K V Rajendra said, according to PTI. Giving a clarification on reports claiming that the Centre has lifted the requirement of RT-PCR certificates to cross the border, he said the Karnataka government's order mandating the RT-PCR test negative certificates for those coming to the district from Kerala is still in force. The order is meant to contain the spread of Covid-19 and the district administration will continue to implement the same, he said.
