(Image source from: livemint.com)

The cases of coronavirus are now coming down across the globe. The third wave of the pandemic is almost done and the Union Home Ministry along with the state governments have been lifting the restrictions. On Thursday, the Union Home Ministry revised the guidelines for the international arrivals and removed the restrictions. The category of 'at risk' countries that was introduced during the Covid-19 is now removed. The international fliers coming from the countries of risk are asked to take up self-monitoring for 14 days along with seven days of home quarantine. The revised guidelines say that there would be no such restrictions for any international passengers arriving to India and the new rules will be effective from February 14th.

All the foreign arrivals should have to fill a self-declaration form online which is available at the Air Suvidha web portal along with their travel history for 14 days. A negative RT-PCR test report has been produced within 72 hours of the travel date. The travels can alternatively submitted their vaccination certificate that says that they have received both the doses of the coronavirus vaccine. This option is only available for passengers coming from 72 countries and they include Canada, United States of America, UK, New Zealand, Bahrain, Qatar, Australia, Hong Kong and some of the European nations. Only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to come on to the board.

All the passengers are asked to use face masks and practice social distancing. Two percent of the random passengers per flight will have to take up an RT-PCR test on their arrival. The airline will select the passenger and they may belong to any country. If found with any symptoms, the passenger will be sent to quarantine and will be tested for coronavirus once again.

By Siva Kumar