India has removed the requirement to fill out an “Air Suvidha form’ for people arriving from foreign countries.
Amid the COVID pandemic, India’s Health Ministry had made it a requirement for all passengers arriving in the country to declare their vaccination status via the Air Suvidha form.
Earlier last week India’s Ministry for Civil Aviation also scraped the requirement to use masks as a compulsory measure during air travel now as per new guidelines passengers have a choice not to wear a mask however they are encouraged to preferably use them.
As per the letter issued by India’s MoHFW,
“Air travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their country.”
On arrival, all passengers are advised to obey the physical distancing norms. The guideline also says all the arriving international passengers will be thermally screened by the health officials present at the point of entry.
“The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol,”
The statement said.
In addition, the Indian Ministry of Health said that all international travellers should self-monitor their health post-arrival.
They should report to their “nearest health facility or call the National helpline number (1075)/ state helpline number in case they have any symptoms suggestive.”
A highly placed officer with the Indian Ministry for External Affairs told The Australia Today, “The decision to revise travel guidelines has been consistent with the successful implementation of COVID vaccination in India.”
“The globally declining COVID numbers and the availability of vaccination has contributed to the new guidelines by MoHFW.”
The ministry has also cautioned that during air travel in-flight announcements about the ongoing pandemic, including precautionary measures should be followed such as the preferable use of masks and following physical distances.