Many countries ease travel rules for Indian passengers: Guidelines

Many countries have eased travel restrictions imposed on India due to the reduced number of Covid-19 cases in the country. Most of the countries imposed travel ban on India last May as second wave of Covid-19 cases surged in the country.

Since March 23 last year scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India. However India had established air bubble agreement with 28 countries and only national carriers of the respective countries have been flying passengers under this agreement.

Here is the current status of travel restrictions imposed on India by various countries

Canada
Canada has extended its ban on Indian travelers till September 21.

Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport of Canada, tweeted on Tuesday saying that health and safety of Canadians continues to be their top priority. And because of that, after reviewing public health data, “we have decided to extend the direct flight ban between Canada and India until September 21, 2021,” the minister added.

Although Canada prohibits direct entry from India, the country accepts the passengers through a third country. However, these travelers required to submit Covid19 molecular test done from a country other than India before entering Canada. The government is closely monitoring the epidemiological situation, Canada’s transport department said. It will also be working closely with the “Government of India and aviation operators to ensure appropriate procedures are put in place to enable a safe return of direct flights as soon as conditions permit.”

UAE
All passengers with a valid UAE residence visa are permitted to travel to and through Dubai from India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uganda, given that they had a valid COVID-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.

UAE nationals are exempted from these requirements but subject to COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

UK
The United Kingdom, on August 8, changed India’s ban status from ‘red list’ to ‘amber list’. Therefore, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer required to undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine.

However, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said those who vaccinated in India and traveled to the U.K have to undergo quarantine at their designated location mentioned on the compulsory locator form.

US
The United States has lowered the restrictions imposed on Indians from Level 4 to Level 3. However, it urged US citizens to reconsider travel to India due to serious risks of safety and security.The U.S also banned Indians in the US from travelling to India except for certain categories.

EU
The European Union has not included India in its Safe travel list. The list currently consists of 20 countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia.

Spain

Spain has also reopened its doors for fully vaccinated Indians. Indians are required to get vaccination at least 14 days before travel. Travelers must have been inoculated with a jab approved by the WHO or the European Medicines Agency. Covaxin has not been recognized by Spain.