In a move aimed at boosting the economy through tourism, the government has decided to lift the Covid barrier for international travellers, and the Ministry of Affairs will start granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India from November 15.
A negative RT-PCR result not older than 72 hours has been made mandatory for passengers travelling to India from the UK, Europe and the Middle East, as well as from South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. The move comes after the discovery of a new Covid variant - C.1.2 - that was first detected in South Africa in May, which could be more infectious and has shown signs of evading protection provided by vaccines.
As per the new guidelines, only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the flights to India and on arrival, they will again be tested for Covid through RT-PCR test.
Additionally, Indians who are fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in Britain, the High Commissioner to India said on October 7, ending a row over what was perceived as unfair imposition of COVID-19 quarantine rules.
Travel restrictions have been eased in several states and Union Territories across India as COVID-19 cases continue to decline after a devastating second wave. States like Uttarakhand, Delhi and Maharashtra are among those that have removed various restrictions placed on air, rail and road travel.
