International Travellers will self-monitor for 14 days of arrival: Health Minister

With Omicron cases decreasing in India, the government has decided to relax the international arrival norms on February 10. It has removed the category of at-risk countries which it has introduced when Omicron cases were going up.

Along with that, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also decided to do away with the 7-day quarantine norm and instead travellers have to do self-monitoring for 14 days.

The government will implement the new guidelines from February 14. With this relaxation, international travel and arrival to India will become easier.

The Omicron cases are decreasing constantly in the country and many experts believe that India has met its peak of the third wave and there is no threat to the large scale spread of the virus now.

“The global and Indian growth trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic continues with regional variations. The need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) thus, must still remain in focus. The extant guidelines for international arrivals in India continue being formulated taking a risk-based approach. While monitoring the nature and spread of infection in the country and across the globe, cognizance is also given to the fact that economic activities need to be taken up in an unhindered manner,” the Health Minister said in a press release.

It added, “The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to the medical facility as per health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed as per laid down protocol.”