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Omicron variant: Here are the latest protocols for travellers to India

All international travellers will have to submit their 14-day travel history before flying to India

Published: Sun 28 Nov 2021, 8:30 PM

Updated: Sun 28 Nov 2021, 8:51 PM

  • By
  • Dhanusha Gokulan

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Reuters file

Reuters file

Amid concerns over the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, India has updated its travel protocols for international arrivals, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Sunday.

Passengers originating from at-risk countries specified by the Government of India must undergo RT-PCR testing upon arrival at their airport of entry.


A second test will be conducted on the eighth day after arrival, and if tested negative, passengers must undergo ‘self-monitoring’ of health for the next seven days. Furthermore, all passengers arriving from at-risk nations must also undergo mandatory seven-day quarantine.

The revised list of protocols is effective from December 1, 12 am onwards.

The nations currently on India’s at-risk list are – European countries including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

“The existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach. The guidelines have been revised in view of reporting of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529; named Omicron) which has been now classified as variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” said the ministry in its revised guidelines.

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Rules for UAE- India travellers

> All passengers must mandatorily fill up the self-declaration form (SDF) with their 14-day travel history and upload a negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha

> Children under five years of age are exempted from pre- and post- arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for Covid-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treatment as per protocols

> Airlines must ensure availability of negative RT-PCR report before allowing the travellers to board

> A random sample of five per cent of the passengers arriving from non-at-risk countries will have to undergo PCR testing upon arrival

> If tested negative, they must self-monitor their health for 14 days

> If tested positive, a sample will be sent for genomic testing and they will undergo treatment as laid down by protocols.



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