11/17/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/17/2021 08:18
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Updated 17 November 2021
COVID-19 has left many travel plans in tatters, with people getting stranded worldwide, mainly because the pandemic has forced many air travel facilities globally to shut down. India-the world's second most populated country-faced this problem at large.
India has, however, begun allowing fully vaccinated foreign tourists to enter the country on regular commercial flights from November 15 in the latest easing of COVID-19 restrictions with the significant infections fall and rise in the vaccination rate. The step has been implemented for the first time since March 2020 when the country imposed one of the toughest lockdowns in the world in an attempt to contain the pandemic.
Who can travel to India from the UAE now?
India has allowed fully vaccinated travellers from 99 countries to enter the country quarantine-free on normal commercial flights starting 15 November. These are 'Category A' countries and the UAE is a part of this list. Therefore, fully vaccinated travellers from the UAE can now travel to India quarantine-free and without any restrictions.
The partially or non-vaccinated UAE travellers will however have to follow some additional requirements. More on this below.
India and the UAE have an air bubble agreement that allows airlines to operate flights to and from both countries. Travel to India from the UAE via this scheme is restricted to the following specified categories of passengers:
Required documents
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India has updated guidelines for international arrivals.
Please note that depending on which state travellers are flying to, there could be other rules to follow, such as to Chennai in Tamil Nadu where travellers need to apply for a TN e‑pass at least 48 hours before flying. All passengers travelling to Kerala must also update their details on the COVID‑19 Jagratha portal at least two days before departure. Therefore, it is necessary for travellers to regularly check the local regulations for their destination.
You can check the latest state-wise quarantine regulations from here.
COVID‑19 testing requirements
According to thelatest travel requirements in India, all travellers from the UAE should:
Children under 5 years of age will be exempted from both pre-and-post-arrival testings.
Quarantine and self-isolation rules
Fully vaccinated travellers
Fully vaccinated travellers from the UAE are free to leave the airport and enjoy a quarantine free stay in India. They will, however, have to self-monitor their health for 14 days' post-arrival.Partially or non-vaccinated travellers
Partially or non-vaccinated travellers from the UAE need to adhere to the following rules:
Suppose travellers under home quarantine or self-health monitoring develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 on re-testing. In that case, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call the National helpline number (1075).
The cost of these on-arrival tests varies depending on the airport that travellers land at. Mumbai has the cheapest tests, from 600 Indian rupees ($8), while Bangalore's express tests are some of the more expensive options at 3,200 Indian rupees ($43) per person. Travellers arriving in Kerala and requiring an on-arrival test will receive it free of charge.
Flights from the Dubai to India
Ethiopian Airlines IndiGo, flydubai, Emirates, SpiceJet, Vistara, Gulf Air are among the airlines that operate flights to India from Dubai.
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