India's latest guidelines on international travel

Photo for representational purpose

What are India's Latest Guidelines on International Travel? - WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHERE YOU CAN GO!

Are you out of fingers to count how many times you have wished that you would wake up with an ocean view in the Maldives or the Bahamas or the snow-covered mountains in Switzerland? Unfortunately, there are no more throwback pictures to post for a trip even down memory lane!

Who could have thought that the pandemic will even leave us missing the fantastic tasting food served on flights and the one of a kind airport smell?

Luckily, since the COVID-19 vaccine drive began, the situation is becoming better, and the dream to take that much-awaited trip seems closer. Many countries will soon reopen their borders for Indian tourists because the number of covid cases is declining. However, the guidelines on international travel keep changing rapidly with the number of covid cases and the pandemic severity. Currently, India is on the "Red List" of countries whose residents are prohibited from entering the international borders of the following countries.

Banned countries

Due to the new COVID variant - Delta, the following countries with India's Air-Bubble agreement have banned flights to and from India.

Some of these countries are Singapore, UAE, Bangladesh, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Italy, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Germany, Canada, Oman, United States of America and the United Kingdom.

There are exceptions to the travel ban to the United States of America. Students, American citizens and those who get sanctioned by the authorities at the US Embassy under the National Interest Exception can travel to the USA despite the ban.

After the Ministry Of External Affairs talked to a few countries to ease the travel ban for Indians, Canada will allow Indian travelers to enter their country from September 7, 2021.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended the ban till August 1. Out of the six countries the UAE has banned flights for, India is one of them. The exceptions to this ban are Diplomats and people who hold golden passports. They will only need a negative RT-PCR test 48 hours from boarding the flight to the UAE.

The United Kingdom (UK) will also reopen after August 1, 2021. Quarantine in a government-approved hotel after arrival will be mandatory. Only Indians who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed to travel to the UK.

New Zealand has also banned flights to and from India until further notice.

Even after the travel ban is uplifted, getting both doses of the vaccine will be mandatory to travel abroad. WHO (World Health Organization) advises taking all necessary precautions even after getting vaccinated to help the COVID-19 infection from spreading. The WHO recommends carrying a digital document certifying that you have been fully vaccinated along with the negative RT-PCR report before boarding a flight.

The EU Green Pass Certificate will now allow Indian passengers who have received the Covishield vaccine to enter and move to European countries. The Green Pass certificate will act as proof of vaccination, test certificate and a certificate of recovery. This digital certificate will allow Indian passengers to move safely in European countries. Although carrying this Green Certificate is not mandatory, it will certainly make your travel plan a bit easier.

Despite countries that banned flights to and from India, some welcome Indian passengers but with certain conditions and protocols to be followed before boarding the flight and after arrival.

Following countries have no ban Indian passengers from entering their borders South Africa, Maldives, Afghanistan, Armenia, Ghana, Egypt, Russia, Iceland, Venezuela, Paraguay, Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Turkey, Guyana, Qatar, Honduras, Zambia, Mozambique, Kyrgyzstan, and Montenegro.

Countries for whom it is mandatory to quarantine upon arrival are Bahrain, Rwanda, Mali, Guatemala, Bermuda, Barbados, and Panama. The period of quarantine will vary from country to country. Passengers will have to quarantine at government-approved hotels/accommodations.

Countries where quarantine is not mandatory to require a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours from boarding the flight in India. The protocols on the arrival of passengers also vary from country to country. If passengers test positive upon arrival, they will have to quarantine at a government-approved hotel until they recover. The passengers will have to sign a Self-Declaration Form, without which the airlines can ban the passenger from boarding. Passengers who do not adhere to all necessary protocols will be categorized as 'unruly' and asked to de-board the plane. It is advised to go through the website of the Bureau of Immigration to get more information on visa and travel restrictions.

Travelling after the pandemic will be a whole new experience. It might be a lot different from the pre-covid era, but it will be an experience of a lifetime. Getting vaccinated will not only keep you safe and protected from coronavirus, but it will also make international travel more fun and hassle-free. By following all protocols and guidelines, it just might be the vacation you didn't know you wanted but desperately needed. Plan and book EaseMyTrip flights to catch that much-needed break!