The Indian authorities have announced that starting today, February 13, travelers coming from or via China, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and the administrative region of Hong Kong will no longer be required to undergo the pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement.
According to the Ministry of Health of India, the decision to no longer apply such a requirement for arrivals from the above-mentioned countries, and the special administrative region was taken as a result of the declining trajectory of Coronavirus infection cases globally, VisaGuide.World reports.
In line with the newly made changes by the Indian Ministry of Health, all travellers reaching India from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan will be able to enter the country without having to undergo strict rules.
Similarly, arrivals from other countries are also subject to facilitated rules as India has already dropped the mandatory testing and proof of vaccination requirement.
While travelers will continue to be permitted to enter India without having to present a vaccination or recovery certificate, the Ministry notes that it is recommended that everyone is fully vaccinated in order to avoid any possible health implications.
In addition, the same points out that around two percent of travelers, excluding children under the age of 12, will be randomly selected for thermal screening upon their arrival. The selected ones will have to take a COVID test at the airport.
Those who test negative will not be required to undergo any other measures. On the other hand, travelers who test positive in the screening will be required to undergo self-isolation immediately at a designated facility.
“The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
Apart from the above-mentioned, the Indian authorities have advised that everyone follows precautionary measures, such as wearing a face mask, especially during flights.
Data provided by the World Health Organization show that India has recorded only 740 new COVID infection cases in the last seven days. The same reveals that during this period the country has recorded nine new deaths.
As for the vaccination rates, Indian Ministry of Health figures show that as of February 13, 2023, the country has administered a total of 2,206,298,101 vaccine doses.
Singapore has also decided to lift the pre-departure test requirement. The authorities of the country said that all travelers would be able to enter Singapore without undergoing pre-arrival COVID testing. In addition, it was noted that there would be no need to show proof of vaccination upon arrival.
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