The Covid-19 infections being reported at a very strong rate in China are causing the world to look at them with caution, and India is no different. About a month ago, in November 2022, India discontinued the requirement for pre-arrival vaccination records via Air Suvidha. A few days ago, India made random testing compulsory for international arrivals. As we reported earlier, the testing and filing requirements are back for a few countries.
India requires arrivals and transit from Singapore / Japan / Hong Kong to get a confirmed RT-PCR Negative test.
As per a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India, International passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand to India were mandatorily required to undergo RTPCR tests before their departure from these countries/destinations and upload the COVID negative RTPCR test report on Air Suvidha portal from January 1, 2023. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours of the journey to India.
Initially, it needed to be clarified if transit passengers were also required to get tested, and airports in India provided conflicting information. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has passed new instructions to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Any transit passengers using the airports of these countries into India from 10 AM, January 1, 2023, will also be subject to requiring an RT-PCR Test.
Suppose you are booked to arrive in India from the US, Australia or one of the many places where people hop via Hong Kong or Singapore (or the US via Japan). In that case, you will now need to present a test at your originating airport to satisfy Indian requirements.
Bottomline
India has reinstated a compulsory testing requirement (RT-PCR) for arrival from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand to India. Tests must be conducted 72 hours before departure and uploaded on the Air Suvidha portal. These requirements also apply to those using airports in these countries for transit into India.
What do you think about this new requirement being initiated in India?
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Thank you Ajay for the information. Would you be able to extend the explanation where I need to do the Test/to get certificate if my flight is from Australia then Transit in Singapore for 13hrs and then to India. Do I need to do it in Australia or in Singapore.
Regards,
@S Edwin, I heard from someone, their T-72 Covid test prior to departure from Australia was acceptable.
Thanks for the information for public interest.
It was helpful.
What is not clear to me the trigger point for 72 hours. Does it start from the schedule departure from the country of origin or the scheduled arrival time in India. I am guessing logically 72 hours count down is from the time of departure of flight regardless the delayed departure.
Regards
@BD Perth, 72 hours to departure.