Mandatory quarantine at home for all international travelers

The Union Government vide the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare took out new guidelines on 7^th January 2022 and these guidelines have come in effect since 11^th January 2022. The guidelines state that though the trajectory of the pandemic continues to decline, the need to monitor COVID 19 and its variants must remain a focus, and hence they have revised the guideline in view of reporting of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529; named Omicron) which has been classified by the World Health Organization as a concern. The Omicron cases in India have been rising at an unforeseen rate and though the severity of symptoms is very minimal is it still a cause of concern especially due to lives already lost to COVID.

The Government has kept its previous restrictions and guidelines in place including the special procedures for ‘At Risk Countries’.  In the new rules, the most significant is that the Government of India has made Home Quarantine for seven days from arrival a mandatory restriction for all international passengers. This will not only impact the travel itineraries of all those traveling to visit their families but also boost out hotel industry as business travelers will also have to quarantine for 7 days.  Flyopedia.com has excellent deals on business class tickets from the USA to India and can even help you plan your travel to India safely with the best deals for families and students on the USA to India flight tickets.

For international travelers, the guidelines also reiterate that it is essential to fill the self–declaration form on the Air Suvidha Portal, upload a negative COVID-19  RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey and also submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report. Passengers should also give an undertaking on the Air Suvidha portal or otherwise to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, through the concerned airlines they are traveling by before they are allowed on the flight that they will abide by the decision of the government authority to undergo home/institutional quarantine/ self-health monitoring, as warranted.

These new guidelines are all-encompassing and should act as an effective deterrent to the spread of Omicron while also preventing a total lockdown. The government is encouraging travel and commerce while asking the people to maintain proper protocols and awareness. Emulating our leaders, we at flyopedia.com encourage you to book your USA to India flight tickets while following all the government guidelines to plan your travel.

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