India makes Covid-19 negative certificate mandatory for entry

New Delhi: In new guidelines that came into effect at midnight on February 22, international passengers visiting India will now have to upload a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test report to an online portal before entry. In addition, all travellers, except the ones coming on flights originating from the UK, Europe and Middle East, will have to submit a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.

The guidelines, listed on the portal at www.newdelhiairport.in , also state that only those travelling in relation to the death of a family member will be exempt from restrictions and the exemption will have to be sought at least 72 hours before boarding. The RT-PCR test must not be more than 72 hours old and passengers will also have to use the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.

For passengers from the UK, Middle East and Europe, another test will be mandatory on landing. Transit travellers who test negative will allowed to board their next flight with a 7 day home quarantine requirement with another test at the end of this period. Several states across India have also modified these orders, increasing the quarantine period to 14 days in some cases while making tests on landing mandatory for all in other cases.