Centre announces major relaxations for international flyers: Air Suvidha form goes, vaccination no longer mandatory

In a major relief to air travellers, the government on Monday revised the guidelines for people flying into India from abroad, amid the vast improvement in pandemic situation and increased vaccination. The travellers flying into India will no longer need to fill out the air suvidha form from Tuesday (November 21-22 midnight IST). 

Air Suvidha is an online system for International passengers to submit a mandatory Self Declaration form to declare their current health status. The Centre, however, said, the rule could be reviewed if needed in view of the Covid situation.

The form on the aviation ministry's Air Suvidha portal was mandatory for incoming international passengers. In it, passengers had to declare their vaccination status, including the number of doses received and their dates.

A notice from the Civil Aviation ministry this evening read, "In the light of sustained declining COVID-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage both globally as well as in India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised 'Guidelines for International Arrivals".

As per the revised the guidelines, it is no longer mandatory for international arrivals to be vaccinated. Days ago, the government had made it optional for air travellers to wear face masks on aircraft or at airports.

The ministry, however, said it was preferred that the passengers be fully vaccinated. It was also preferable that all precautionary measures for Covid -- including the use of masks and social distancing at airports -- be continued.

“Planning for Travel: All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per approved primary schedule against COVID-19 in their country,” the revised guidelines read. 

"Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol. (Such) passengers should be wearing mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow up treatment," it added. 

The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol. All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call National Helpline Number (1075)/State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive.

The Union Health Ministry said the guidelines have been “revised in light of sustained declining COVID-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage both globally as well as in India.”