In view of rising Omicron cases, the Indian health ministry has mandated all international passengers arriving to quarantine for seven days and then get tested on the eighth day of arrival.
“All passengers (including those 2% who were random tested upon arrival and found negative) will undergo home quarantine for 7 days and shall undertake RT-PCR test on the eight-day of arrival in India,” said a notification from the health ministry.
Upon arrival, the passengers have to show the self-declaration form filled online. Symptomatic passengers shall be immediately isolated and taken to a medical facility as per health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed as per laid down protocol, said the new guideline issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
However, travellers from specified Countries at risk have to submit a sample for the post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival (self-paid). Such travellers will be required to wait for their test results at the arrival airport before leaving or taking a connecting flight. If tested negative, they will follow home quarantine for seven days and undertake an RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival in India.
However, if such travellers are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network, added the notification.
The list of at-risk countries includes countries in Europe and the UK, South Africa, Israel, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mauritius and several countries in Africa.
