Highlights
- The self-declaration forms for Covid vaccination have been mandatory since air travel opened up after the pandemic.
- This move by the government has been lauded by passengers landing in India from other countries as travelling has become more accessible.
- Last week, the aviation ministry said masks were no longer compulsory during air travel, but passengers should use them to prevent another surge of coronavirus.
Anyone travelling to India is in for a big relief as the Centre has now discontinued Air Suvidha forms for international arrivals effective from Tuesday.
What were these forms for?
Air Suvidha is a contactless solution by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health Family Welfare, facilitated by Delhi Airport.
The self-declaration forms for Covid vaccination have been mandatory since air travel opened up after the pandemic. The form had to be filled in by incoming international flyers on the Air Suvidha portal and was deemed a pain by travellers. Passengers had to declare their vaccination status, including the number of doses received and their dates.
Will they not need an RT-PCR test too?
According to a statement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the decision to discontinue the self-declaration form will begin on November 22.
Following the announcement, people flying into India from abroad will no longer need to fill out the Air Suvidha form from November 21-22 midnight and will also not be required to take an RT-PCR COVID-19 test.
This move by the government has been lauded by passengers landing in India from other countries as travelling has become more accessible.
Why did the govt make the move?
Last evening, a notice from the Civil Aviation ministry read, “In the light of sustained declining COVID-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage both globally as well as in India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals”.
It, however, added a statutory warning: The rule could be reviewed if needed in view of the Covid situation.
Further, the ministry said it was preferred that the passengers be fully vaccinated. It was also preferable that all precautionary measures for Covid — including the use of masks and social distancing at airports — be continued.
Are there any other new rules?
Last week, the aviation ministry said masks were no longer compulsory during air travel, but passengers should use them to prevent another surge of coronavirus. Till then, the use of masks on flights was mandatory.
The ministry said the decision aligned with the government’s policy of a graded approach to Covid-19 management.
