As infection rates worldwide are steadily dropping, India will be dropping its mandatory pre-departure testing requirements for all passengers coming from or via China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan. While this is good news, the country continues the random testing conducted on all arriving international passengers.

Scrapping the pre-departure test requirements

Prior to China's anticipated reopening early last month, India previously reinstated and made it mandatory for all passengers from these countries to present a negative test report before arriving in the country. The rule came into effect on January 1st.

Passengers from these countries had to first upload their negative test results to an Indian government website, known as the 'Air Suvidha' portal, before their departure, and albeit troublesome, it was necessary as according to India's Health Minister Msanuskh Mandaviya at the time when he said:

"This is being done in view of the evolving COVID-19 situation across the world, and the test should be taken within 72 hours of travel to India."

Photo: BoeingMan777 | Shutterstock

But with the global situation calming down and the number of cases significantly declining in these listed countries, India is ready to drop the mandatory requirement altogether from February 13th, 11:00 onwards. The requirements are also likely being leveled to make it easier for those arriving in the country for next week's Aero India 2023.

Under the updated 'Guidelines for International Arrivals,' it's now stated that:

"Given the decline in coronavirus cases, the ministry is dropping the existing requirements of pre-departure COVID-19 testing and uploading of the Self-Health Declaration on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's 'Air Suvidha' portal applicable for international travelers coming from/via China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan."

Unlucky flights caught in the mix

While it's ultimately good news that the negative test requirement is being scrapped, it's noted that the transition will only take effect from 11:00 on February 13th. This means that if passengers have a flight arriving in India that day but the timings are much earlier than 11:00, they must submit their negative test results to the portal.

Such flights include Air India Flight A1 347 from Singapore to Chennai, which has a scheduled arrival time of 10:40. Or a Cathay Pacific flight CX 679 from Hong Kong to Delhi with a scheduled arrival time of 00:25. Another example would be Thai Airways flight TG 313 from Bangkok to Kolkata, scheduled to arrive at 00:40.

But there are also passengers with flights scheduled to arrive after 11:00, and they are the fortunate ones that will be exempted from any pre-departure testing requirements. While it can get confusing, the main point is that as long as the scheduled arrival time to India is before 11:00, regardless of flight changes or delays, it's best to submit the test result in case.

Photo: Airbus

Not every rule gets scrapped

However, not every restriction is being scrapped, as India will not be dropping the required random testing of at least 2% of all passengers aged 12 and above arriving in the country, irrespective of their origin. The reason for not scrapping this requirement is that the Health Ministry can monitor possible infections likely due to mutated variants.

Still, it's a step forward in the right direction to get at least one regulation rid of, making traveling a lot cheaper and less tiresome for passengers. It'll also be easier on the airport staff without having to check if submissions were made.

Source: Reuters