Important update related to passengers travelling from the US to India

As the second COVID-19 wave approaches, India is now subject to outbound travel restrictions after having released air bubbles since the first wave. Many nations have raised concerns about travelling to and from India as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in India, where there are now more than 2 lakh cases reported per day. India has lately been added to the UK's prohibited travel list.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) thereafter issued a warning against visiting India. Earlier this month, New Zealand prohibited all Indian nationals from entering the country (including their residents).

All passenger flights from India are now prohibited for 14 days by Hong Kong, which also took action.

The most recent Coronavirus strains have been identified in over 100 cases in India earlier. A high alert has been issued for nations like the United Kingdom and Hong Kong due to the high transmission rate of mutant strains.

Not to mention, if travel restrictions are not implemented, the ongoing rise in active COVID-19 cases is a worry for both India and other nations.

Travel Bans from the US to India

Vande Bharat Mission repatriation flights and "air transport bubbles" from various nations across the world are still operating, but only individuals who meet the visa criteria are allowed to board these flights. Regular international flights have been suspended to India.

All guests go through a screening procedure. Any person displaying symptoms will be transported to a hospital. Land borders are closed, save for Indian nationals who are returning.

All passengers must submit a self-declaration form to the Air Suvidha Portal starting on February 22 along with a negative PCR test that was performed within 72 hours of the trip. Additionally, they must state on the platform that they will spend their first 14 days at home under quarantine.

According to the CDC's travel website, people should stay away from going to India since they run the danger of catching and spreading Coronavirus (mutated forms) even if they are fully protected.

According to the CDC, travellers would need to be fully immunized before leaving, wear a mask, and abide by social distancing rules.

According to S. Jaishankar, India's minister of external affairs, the country is trying to implement e-passports. The minister also disclosed that, in order to facilitate paperless paperwork, the Digi Locker system and the Passport Seva System had been connected.

Jaishankar continued, "The Ministry operationalized 428 Post Office Passport Seva Kendra’s (POPSKs) in partnership with the Department of Posts to reach out to our residents at their doorsteps. 178 of our embassies and consulates abroad have had their passport issuing systems successfully linked with the Ministry.

From Sunday, June 12, the US will not need incoming foreign visitors to take the COVID-19 test within a day of boarding their planes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer require air travellers arriving in the US from abroad to present a negative COVID-19 virus test or proof of COVID-19 recovery before boarding their flight as of 12:01 AM ET on June 12, 2022. See Rescission:

Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for All Passengers on Airlines or Other Aircraft Arriving in the United States from Any Foreign Country for more details.

According to media reports, the DGCA has mandated the use of masks in Indian airports and on flights. The largest number of new cases reported in a 24-hour period in India was 7,240 [June 9 MoHFW update].

New rules for COVID-appropriate conduct were released on June 8 by India's aviation watchdog, the DGCA. Today, wearing a mask during a flight or other air travel is required, and mask removal is only permitted in extreme cases. Infringers might be treated as "unruly passengers" and kicked off the plane before takeoff. This complies with a Delhi High Court ruling that specifies violators may be placed on a "no-fly list."

The United States has reportedly abolished its travel restrictions against India and other nations as of November 8th, 2021.

Children under the age of 18 and adults with specific medical problems are excluded from the new vaccination requirements, according to the White House. Non-tourist visitors from the roughly 50 nations with national immunization rates under 10% will also not be required to get shots. If a person plans to stay in the US for more than 60 days, they must get vaccinated.

New contact tracing guidelines were released on Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to "follow up with travellers who have been exposed to COVID-19 variants or other infections."

Also, this month, the CDC declared that it would accept mixed-dose coronavirus immunizations from travellers. Airlines must confirm the last dose was at least two weeks before the travel date.

Travel regulations for Indians in the USA

An administration official announced on Monday that starting November 8, unvaccinated US citizens and long-term residents will need to submit a negative Covid test from the day before reentering the country, and unvaccinated foreigners will only be allowed to enter in specific situations. Three days prior to travelling, Americans who have completed their vaccinations must submit to testing.

The administration stated in September that it would need all foreign visitors to be fully immunized before entering the country, but provided details on Monday regarding the exclusions.

For instance, visitors from nations with immunization rates under 10% will also need to provide a strong reason for their visit, according to a senior administration official. As of November 8th, 2021 Indian passport holders may be able to travel to the US, provided they have taken the two shots of accepted vaccines and can provide proof of it before travel.

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