Airports Authority Of India Issues Fresh Guidelines For Passengers Flying To Goa, Mandates 14 Day Quarantine

New Delhi: With India unlocking its economy in a staggered manner after over 60 days of total lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic air travel resumed. Indian skies opened up for domestic passenger services on May 25 and from August 8 international travel will also restart. To ensure safe travel for both passengers and the airline staff amid COVID-19 pandemic, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued state-wise guidelines.

On August 5, AAI issued updated guidelines for passengers flying to Goa according to which, all passengers are required to go for either 14 days home quarantine or paid institutional quarantine, with exemptions.

Also Read: Here Are The Latest Guidelines For International Passengers Travelling To India Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Asymptomatic passengers are given three options to choose from:

1. Produce a COVID-19 negative certificate issued by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) recognised lab not more than 48 hours prior to the arrival in Goa.

2. Mandatory 14 days home quarantine. If an individual does not have facilities for home quarantine, he/she can opt for paid institutional quarantine for 14 days.

3. Opt for giving swab and getting a COVID-19 test done for Rs. 2,000. And until the results come, passengers will have to be in paid quarantine.

Also Read: Experts Explain The Different COVID-19 Tests: Rapid Antigen Vs RT-PCR Test, Which Is Better?

If an asymptomatic passenger is either able to produce a COVID negative report or opt for COVID test, he/she will be exempted from mandatory 14 days home quarantine.

AAI has directed thermal screening for all passengers and COVID test for symptomatic passengers. Until the COVID test results are available, symptomatic passengers are to stay in institutional quarantine.

All passengers flying to Goa are expected to certify the status of their health through the Aarogya Setu mobile application or a self-declaration form.

Guidelines For Tourists Flying To Goa

For tourists, AAI has mandated pre-booking of accommodation at hotels registered with the Department of Tourism. On arrival, tourists will have to show the proof of pre-booking for the entire duration of their stay in the state.

Also Read: Delhi’s Coronavirus Fight: Active Coronavirus Cases Now Below 10,000

All tourists will have to undergo basic screening at the entry point. Any tourist exhibiting sickness or COVID-19 related symptoms upon arrival will be subjected to a COVID-19 test at designated testing centers or hospitals at the tourist’s cost, reads the guidelines.

In case a passenger is not carrying a valid COVID negative certificate, he/she will have to undergo testing at designated testing centers or hospitals. Travellers will have to stay in self-isolation until the reports are out.

The isolation facilities will be provided by the accommodation units themselves, where the tourist made a pre-booking. Once results are received, only and if found COVID-19 negative, the tourist shall be allowed to travel outside the isolation facility. In case any tourist is found COVID-19 positive, the accommodation unit will act as per the extant protocol issued by the state health department. All costs for COVID-19 test including the stay at the isolation or quarantine facilities shall be borne by the tourists themselves, added the guidelines.

If necessary, tourists will be asked to fill a self-declaration form provided at the accommodation unit for contact tracing.

Also Read: Serum Institute Of India Partners With The Gates Foundation For Manufacturing 100 Million Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.