COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in India (24 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• The government has relaxed visa restrictions for all OCI and PIO cardholders and all other foreign nationals who wish to enter or leave the country, except for tourism.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• On arrival at airports, screening will occur. If a traveller shows signs of COVID-19, they will be taken to a medical facility for further observation and possibly testing.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside of India will be accepted.

Test certificate required?

• No

• A negative COVID-19 test certificate is not required for entry.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• All passengers will need to quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Travellers can seek exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate on arrival. This test should have been performed within 96 hrs prior to arrival.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All international passengers must visit this site and submit a self-declaration form at least 72 hours prior to departure for India.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Passengers may be required to provide contact details and be asked to download the Arogya Setu app.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• The government has suspended regular international commercial flights until at least 30 November. Those in the travel “bubble” are not affected.

• The travel bubble includes the following countries; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Oman, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Ukraine, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, Tokyo, Kenya, Bhutan, the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, Tanzania and Rwanda.

• All domestic passengers from Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, and Rajasthan will have to submit a negative RT-PCR test report before boarding their flight in Mumbai. The test must be conducted within 72 hours prior to the scheduled landing time.

• Domestic flights are operating at a reduced frequency.

• Only cargo flights and those approved by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) are allowed on international routes.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• All land and maritime borders are closed, except for medical, trade, repatriation and other emergency purposes.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• The nationwide overnight curfew has ended, but various state governments have introduced local night curfews.

• Madhya Pradesh has imposed a night curfew from 22:00 to 06:00 in Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Vidisha, and Ratlam district starting 21 November.

• The government of Rajasthan has decided to impose night curfew 20:00 to 06:00 in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar and Bhilwara.

• The Delhi government is planning to impose lockdown because of the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in the state.

• The Mizoram government has extended the lockdown until 30 November.

• The Tamil Nadu government has imposed lockdown across the state until 30 November. Sub-urban trains and movie theatres can operate with limited capacity.

• In Maharashtra, the lockdown has been extended until 30 November. However the government has decided to reopen temples and places of worship.

• In Punjab, the government has lifted the night curfew and has withdrawn the Sunday lockdown.

• The government has lifted lockdown measures in West Bengal.

• In Assam, the government has lifted the weekend (Saturday & Sunday) lockdowns in all districts.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the guidelines for ‘re-opening’ the country until 30 November.

• No more than five people are allowed in shops at a time.

• At least two meters of social distance should be strictly followed.

• People over 65 years of age, pregnant women, a person with co-morbidities, and children below ten years of age are encouraged to stay home.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required.

• The government has resumed local trains in West Bengal. Suburban train services of Eastern and South Eastern Railway have resumed.

• Delhi has resumed all metro routes which will operate from 06:00 to 23:00 (local time).

• Both inter-state and intra-state movement of passenger vehicles is restricted in most states and requires approval by respective state and district authorities.

• Nagaland has lifted the restrictions on interstate travel.

• Private and minibuses have been allowed to operate in Maharashtra.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Many non-essential businesses have resumed, including swimming pools, cinema halls, and theatres. However, rules may vary in different states.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Limited accommodations are open, however, rules may vary in different states.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants may open, however, rules may vary in different states.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes may open, however, rules may vary in different states.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services, including salons, are open, however, rules may vary in different states.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• The Taj Mahal is now open to visitors.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of religious worship are allowed to open with adherence to social distancing norms.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Social, political, religious functions are allowed to open. There will be a limit of 100 persons for any gathering.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a mask is mandatory in public.

Other

• Educational institutions are opening gradually. Online learning is encouraged.

• Sports complexes and stadiums are open, however, without any spectators.

建議

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.

To reduce the risk of infection by this virus if travelling in or from affected areas:

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

• Wearing a mask (face covering) is recommended in public places and when social distancing is not possible.

• Wash hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

• Older travellers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affected areas with their healthcare provider.

• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after visiting affected areas where transmission is occurring