The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued fresh guidelines for the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders, which allows them to visit India from select countries in wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
As per the order, only those OCI cardholders will be allowed entry who belong to countries with which transport air bubble arrangements have been finalised by the civil aviation ministry.
"Other foreigners from these countries also allowed to avail Indian visa facility for business, medical and employment purposes," the order said.
Other countries may be included in this scheme later, the order added.
The Indian government further extended the suspension of international air travel for commercial passengers till 31 August due to COVID-19 cases not coming down. However, the Indian government has allowed restricted movement of passengers using ‘Transport Bubble’ agreements that have been signed with the USA, France, and Germany and the United Kingdom.
Fresh orders have also been issued by the Ministry of Health & Welfare Organisation for passengers arriving in India. These orders will come into effect starting 8 August.
These new guidelines order the passengers to submit a self-declaration form at least 72 hours before the scheduled time of travel. Passengers can submit the declaration at www.newdelhiairport.in.
They also need to give an undertaking that states they will adhere to the mandatory quarantine guidelines for 14 days or which 7 days will be paid institutional quarantine at their expense followed by 7 days of home isolation.
Only for compelling cases like a serious medical condition or pregnancy, 14 days of home quarantine may be permitted.
Passengers can also seek exemption for institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report on arrival which needs to have been conducted 96 hours before arrival.
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