Karnataka re-mandates Covid test on arrival from at-risk countries

Order, in effect from October 25, enjoins home quarantine for 7 days and Covid test on day 8 for flyers from at-risk originating countries

BENGALURU:

After earlier relaxing Covid-related requirements for international air arrivals, the Karnataka government has taken a cue from the latest directive of the Centre and, with advice from the state Technical Advisory Committee, has mandated testing on arrival, regardless of vaccination status, for passengers from at-risk countries at Karnataka airports.

According to an order on Monday by the state government, these countries include the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. Flyers from these countries will have to be in home quarantine for seven days and undergo testing on day 8.

All passengers must compulsorily upload their negative RT-PCR report, not older than 72 hours, in the Air Suvidha portal ahead of their travel with a self-declaration form. The order states that before boarding, the do’s and don’ts shall be provided along with their tickets to the travellers by the airlines/agencies concerned.

The order further directs in-flight crew to ensure that Covid-appropriate behaviour is followed at all times. If any passenger reports symptoms of Covid-19 during flight, he/she should be isolated as per the protocol, the order reads.

‘Exception’ countries

If travellers are coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines, then, if they are fully vaccinated, they shall be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days` post-arrival.

If partially/not vaccinated, travellers need to undertake various measures which include submission of sample for post-arrival Covid-19 test at the point of arrival, after which they will be allowed to leave the airport. This is to be followed by home quarantine for 7 days, and a re-test on the 8th day of arrival in India. If they test negative, further self-monitoring should be done for the next 7 days, informs the order.

Countries vis-a-vis which additional measures need to be followed, including post-arrival testing: Countries in Europe, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe.

Countries vis-à-vis which the Central government has an agreement for mutual recognition of certificates for fully vaccinated individuals: the UK, France, Germany, Nepal, Belarus, Lebanon, Armenia, Ukraine, Belgium, Hungary, Serbia.

Go and Vote: Issued in Public Interest