Centre Relaxes International Travel Guidelines, Exempts Kids From Pre- And Post-arrival COVID Test

International Travel Latest News Today: In the fresh order, the Centre said that the travellers, however, will self monitor their health for 14 days post arrival.

Written by: India.com News Desk Edited by: Manmath Nayak

Updated: November 11, 2021, 6:50 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/lifestyle/international-travel-latest-news-today-11-november-2021-india-issues-revised-guidelines-for-international-travels-exempts-kids-from-pre-and-post-arrival-covid-test-full-guidelines-here-5092047/ Copy

The Central government has issued revised guidelines for international travels.

Covid-19 International Travel Latest News Today: As the coronavirus cases have significantly gone down, the Central government on Thursday relaxed the guidelines for international travels and allowed kids below five years without undergoing pre- and post-arrival COVID testing at the airports. The move is believed to be relaxed to boost tourism and international flights. The Centre said that the standard operating procedure shall be valid from November 12 till further orders.

In the revised order, the Central government, however, said if the kids are found symptomatic for coronavirus infections on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and be treated according to laid down protocol.

The Central government highlighted that the global trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic continues to decline with certain regional variations, and mentioned the need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern must still remain in focus.

The health ministry further stated that the existing guidelines which were issued on February 17 with subsequent addendums for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach.

The ministry again added that in view of increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed.

“Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol,” it said.

Full guidelines here:

1. As per the guidelines, if travellers are fully vaccinated and coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines, they shall be allowed to leave the airport and need not undergo home quarantine.
2. The travellers, however, will self monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.
3. If they are partially or not vaccinated, then they need to undertake measures which includes submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival.
4. If the travellers during home quarantine develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 on re-testing, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility.
5. The deboarding of the travellers should be done ensuring physical distancing and thermal screening.
6. The self-declaration form filled online shall be shown to the airport health staff.
7. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility.