Is it safe to travel to India in 2022?

India is a favourite tourist destination for travellers from all over the world. There are many attractions to see, incredible things to do, and diverse cultures and religions to learn about. But what should you know before travelling? Is it safe to travel to India in 2022? I’ll tell you everything you need to know here.

The Indian government has published revised guidelines on 14th February 2022 as the mortality rate increases and the threat to the variants are decreasing.

At a glance:

Travellers allowed: Yes. Vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated travellers allowed

Lockdown in effect: Yes, partially

Airport RT-PCR test: Not required for the fully vaccinated travellers from 86 countries

Transport restriction: Inter-state screening and regulations in-effect

Updated Covid protocols to travel to India in 2022

The previously extended ban on international flights to January 31 2022 by the aviation ministry is lifted. The new guidelines posted by the government allows travellers from 86 countries based on the risk posed internationally.

If you are planning to travel to India in 2022, you should remember to check as the covid protocols and inter-state rules are constantly changing. Due to the increased mortality rate and the stability of tourism in India travel restrictions in India is loosening. To date, foreigners are travelling if they follow the proper protocol and regulations.

While travelling to India in 2022, it is mandated to provide a 14-day quarantine report and upload your negative RT-PCR report in the Air Suvidha portal.  According to the ministry of home and family affairs and the ministry of aviation of India, here are the protocols for international travellers arriving in India:

Before Travel:

1. They should upload self-declaration along with COVID negative report in the Air Suvidha Portal, and prior to boarding, you will be required to download the app on your mobile device.
2. A self-declaration of the authenticity of the uploaded document should also be given before flying, or otherwise, travellers would be subjected to criminal prosecution on the occasion of the fraud of documents.
3. The thermal screening will be conducted prior to travel, and only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board.

During Travel:

In-flight Covid protocol as declared by the airline should be followed, and if any of the passengers show symptoms of Covid should be isolated.

Post-arrival:

1. After arrival, travellers will be subjected to thermal screening at the beginning, and the travellers from at-risk countries will be taken for further measures.
2. Only citizens from countries which provide quarantine free entry to Indians will be allowed relaxation after providing the full course of certification of the vaccine.
3. 2% of the passangers will be randomly selected for sample collection. They will be allowed to leave after submitting the swab for sample.
4. If any passanger is found to have sympotoms standard preset protocol will be followed to go for isolation and standardized protocol.

Air Suvidha Portal

If you are travelling to India now, you just have to upload your vaccination certificate along with digitally documentable detail and an RT-PCR negative report is not required as before.

How to Upload your relative documents in the Air Suvidha Portal?

The Air Suvidha portal is made active by the ministry of civil aviation India for foreigners and citizens as the covid regulations are necessary. They have become more strict to continue to protect the travellers from Covid-19. The steps to uploading the required documents to the portal are as stated below:

1. Book your tickets through the online portal and collect and tourist visa to India.
2. Go to the official website of Air Suvidha
3. Enter name, personal information and flight information as necessary.
4. Enter Vaccination Certificate in pdf format, and the pdf should be under 1 MB.
5. Information required along with uploading of vaccination documents: Name, flight no, seat no, time of departure, country of departure, First Airport of entry in India, final destination state or territory.
6. After you fill-up the information, you have to fill up questions related to your respiratory and overall health.

According to  https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid19-revised-travel-guidelines-take-effect

the aviation ministry of India and FDA has mandated a few rules because of the updated status of the omicron strain of coronavirus. Foreigners travelling to India must abide by the updated guidelines while flying to India.

1. Passengers arriving from the “at-risk “country-list will be required to go through airport testing post-arrival, and if found positive, they will be isolated and travelling may be restricted according to the health condition

The list of “at-risk” categories considered by the Indian Government

 Uk, European nations, Bangladesh, China, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, Mauritius, Zimbabwe

2. 5% of the travellers arriving from other countries that are not at risk will be tested randomly to collect gene pool samples.
3. Travellers from the at-risk category country, if tested negative in the airport tested they still have to isolate themselves for 7 days after arrival and get a second test on the 8th day and then go through a self-observation period for the next seven days.

Is it going to be unsafe for foreigners travelling to India?

Travelling to India in 2022 is going to be hassle-free because of the decline of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.  The imposition of travel restrictions will not be much of a problem as travelling ban are slowly lifting. According to WHO’s last update, the new strain of Corona, Omicron, will not be as vicious as predicted.

Travel restrictions:

Travellers will need to put through a self-declaration that they will abide by the changing rules for inter-state travel and transport regulations to travel to India, including checking documents and thermal screening.

The travel restrictions are imposed on inter-state travel, and minute details are constantly changing; you should carry your passport, visa, Covid-test report at all times. All the hotels and restaurants in India are still following covid appropriate rules and behaviour.

Most local and public transports are at service with regular timings in most parts of India with few exceptions. While visiting India, make sure to schedule your transportation. If you are travelling interstate and want extra protection, choose rented vehicles or private car services for travel.

Indian public transport such as local trains and buses are mostly extremely chaotic and crowded. If you want to experience the real lifestyle of India, you may travel using public transport, but they are more likely to get you more exposed to the risk of having the coronavirus. Having said that, the number of spread cases has drastically got down in India and has become safe for travel.

Things to remember to travel to India:

As the health advisory of countries like the U.S. has suggested increased caution as guidelines to travelling to India, you should maintain social distancing and follow the covid-19 protocol.

1. Complete the full dosage of your vaccination before travelling.
2. Maintain covid protocol induced by different states.
3. Get flu shots depending on the region you are travelling to.
4. Use private or rented vehicles instead of local transport
5. Enquire about covid-measures at the hotel you are staying in and the places you are eating.
   1. Opt for off-season and off-beat destinations in India to enjoy the natural beauty without concerning about the virus.