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How the COVID Lockdown has Changed Indian Travel Guidelines: A Detailed Guide

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Published on July 16, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes



The world encountered COVID in 2020, and since then, nothing has been the same. Governments immediately imposed lockdowns to reduce the risk of more people catching the highly infectious virus and this changed how the world around us functions.

How COVID-19 Changed the Landscape for Domestic Travellers:

In India, lockdown was imposed nationally in late March 2020, but different states continued to ease and impose lockdown measures as required. However, despite the lockdowns in different states, air travel resumed in May 2020. While passengers were allowed to fly to different parts of the country, some rules have been changed to ensure safety and reduce the risk of anybody contracting the disease through travel.

If you are going to be travelling anytime soon, there are a few things you are required to know and some steps you will have to take in order to ensure safe passage for you as well as your fellow passengers. It is now even more important than before to get the best travel insurance online before you decide to board a flight to anywhere in India.

Many states now require passengers to show a negative RT-PCR test before boarding a flight, while most airports across the country have asked passengers to install the AarogyaSetu app, created by the Ministry of Health & Welfare. You can learn more about the guidelines issued below, and ensure that you are adequately prepared to travel in India. Don’t forget to book your travel insurance online first to make sure that regardless of what happens, you can easily be compensated for it.

Domestic Travel Guidelines in India: What You Need to Know

Different guidelines that will apply during the different parts of your domestic journey have been listed below. Read on below to learn more.

Before you Reach the Airport:

1. Make sure to download your boarding pass and luggage tags before reaching the airport.
2. Pack efficiently since you are only allowed to carry one handbag and one check-in luggage.
3. Ensure that you are wearing a face mask at all times, and try to carry an extra one.
4. You must reach the airport 2 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure. The additional guidelines may increase the time required for checking in and security procedures.
5. If you are living in a containment zone or have tested positive recently, you are not allowed to travel until you get a negative RT-PCR test report.

f. You will need to sign a self-declaration form and show your AarogyaSetu health data in order to be able to fly.

Guidelines to Reach Airport Terminal Building:

1. Make sure your boarding pass, baggage tags and other requisite documents are on your phone.
2. Get your temperature checked at the thermal screening area and display your AarogyaSetu app health status to the security personnel.
3. Show your boarding pass and ID to CISF in order to enter the terminal building.
4. Once your baggage has been checked in, you will receive an SMS regarding your bags being received.
   Guidelines for Security Procedure and Hold Area:
   
5. Depending on the city you are travelling from, you will be required to follow the airport’s security procedures and guidelines.
6. Once this is completed, head to the hold area while wearing your protective gear at all times, especially your face mask.
7. Maintain social distancing with other passengers and do not sit on chairs which are marked “not for use”.
8. If you visit the retail stores and food outlets, make sure your face mask stays on there too and that you follow the requisite social distancing norms.
9. Before leaving the restaurant, make sure you have disposed off all the napkins and tissues and other disposable material in yellow-coloured dustbins.

Guidelines for Aircraft Boarding:

1. The airline will provide you with a face shield, face mask and sanitisers, which you must take and utilise before you board the flight.
2. Scan your boarding pass at the scanner placed to ensure minimal contact with airport personnel.

Board the aircraft in an orderly manner, in line with instructions issued by the airline personnel present.

Guidelines for In-flight:

1. Food is no longer offered in-flight and consumption of food is also not allowed while travelling.
2. Remain seated for as much of the flight duration as you can in order to avoid face-to-face interaction with other passengers.
3. Limit your usage of the washroom facilities.

Conclusion

These guidelines are mandated by most airlines today post COVID. Make sure to follow these in order to ensure a comfortable and seamless travel experience for you and fellow passengers. Even as you take these steps to ensure your safety, don’t forget to book travel insurance online well in advance.

 

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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