India issues guidelines for international arrivals

India has issued a set of guidelines for international arrivals, including passengers from Bangladesh, in a bid to make sure safe air travels amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As per the rules by its Ministry of Health insurance and Family Welfare, international passengers need to submit a self-declaration form on the online portal, www.newdelhiairport.in, at least 72 hours before the scheduled travel, or physically after arrival at the respective health counters.

If a person gets there lacking any RT-PCR Covid-19 negative certificate and will not decide on a test at the Indian airport (if the facility is available), they must undergo seven days’ institutional quarantine and seven days’ home quarantine.

Asked about the problem, Biman Bangladesh Airlines CEO (CEO) Md Mokabbir Hossain confirmed that Bangladeshi passengers going to India have to abide by these guidelines.

At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.

Passengers need to deboard while maintaining physical distancing. 

Travellers found to be symptomatic of Covid-19 during screening after deboarding will be isolated and taken to a medical facility immediately.

Following thermal screening, passengers who've RT-PCR Covid-19 negative certificates with them will be exempt from quarantine. They'll be permitted to leave and undertake self-monitoring for two weeks.

International passengers, including Bangladeshis, arriving by sea or land ports of India also have to undergo similar protocols. One noticeable difference is that they will need to submit the self-declaration form to the authorities concerned on arrival.