Date & Time
2023-01-03 - 15:27
Review of COVID-19 guidelines for International flight operations / arrivals -reg
AV-29017/5/2020-DT
Government of IndiaMinistry of Civil Aviation
B Block, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan,
New Delhi, Dated 30.12.2022
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Review of COVID-19 guidelines for International flight operations /arrivals -reg.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) vide even reference OM dated 23.12.2022had issued guidelines on the 2% random RT-PCR testing at the airport for the arriving international Passengers. The guidelines have been reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) under communication reference No.Z.28015/1 82/2021-DMCell dated 29.12.2022.
2. In the context of the evolving trajectory of Covid-19 cases in some countries especially China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan and reports regarding circulation of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in these countries, it has been decided that the existing guidelines for international arrivals needs to be revised and updated. The revised guidelines are as under:
a. A mandatory requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR testing
(to beconducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey) is beingintroduced for Passengers in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan.
b. Air-Suvidha portal self-declaration has been made operational for
Passengers travelling in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan, with a provision to allow these international travellers arriving in India to upload negative RT- PCR test reports as well as to submit self-declaration form on this portal.
c. The existing practice of post-arrival random RT-PCT testing of
b. Air-Suvidha portal self-declaration has been made operational for
Passengers travelling in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan, with a provision to allow these international travellers arriving in India to upload negative RT- PCR test reports as well as to submit self-declaration form on this portal.
c. The existing practice of post-arrival random RT-PCT testing of
2% travellers (irrespective of port of departure) shall continue.
d. The MoHFW extant Guidelines for International Arrivals dated 29.12.2012 to be followed for compliance by all concerned, are Annexed.
3. The above decision would be effective from 01.01.2023 (10:00 Hrs IST) until further orders. This will be reviewed, if needed, as per the prevailing situation.
3.1 In addition, the Airlines are directed to modify their check-in functionalities to incorporate the above changes and issue boarding passes only to those international Passengers travelling from aforementioned countries, who have submitted self- declaration form on the Air-Suvidha portal.
4. This has the approval of the Competent Authority.
Bol 12.]2022
(Mritunjaya Sharma)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
d. The MoHFW extant Guidelines for International Arrivals dated 29.12.2012 to be followed for compliance by all concerned, are Annexed.
3. The above decision would be effective from 01.01.2023 (10:00 Hrs IST) until further orders. This will be reviewed, if needed, as per the prevailing situation.
3.1 In addition, the Airlines are directed to modify their check-in functionalities to incorporate the above changes and issue boarding passes only to those international Passengers travelling from aforementioned countries, who have submitted self- declaration form on the Air-Suvidha portal.
4. This has the approval of the Competent Authority.
Bol 12.]2022
(Mritunjaya Sharma)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India