India opens doors to travellers

New Delhi: India has allowed quarantine-free entry for travellers from 99 countries that recognise Indian Covid-19 vaccine certificates, according to the revised guidelines for international arrivals released by the Union Health Ministry.

"Countries that recognise Indian vaccine certificates, and there are terms of reciprocity, India has allowed quarantine-free travel to their citizens," the guidelines said. If fully vaccinated, the travellers will be allowed to leave the airport and self-monitor their health for 14 days.

If partially or not vaccinated, the travellers need to undertake measures which include submission of sample for post-arrival Covid-19 test, after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further self-monitor of their health for next seven days.

Ten countries need to follow additional measures on arrival in India. India suspended all visas granted to foreign travellers last year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Health Ministry has also exempted children below five years from both pre- and post-arrival testing for Covid-19.

The guidelines, however, state that in case they are found symptomatic for coronavirus infections on arrival or during the home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and be treated according to protocol.