For most of us, travel plans have been on the backburner for near about two years now. We have avoided doing this in our own interests as well as the greater good of public health and society. However, we do have to travel for work, study, personal reasons. Travelling abroad poses even more challenges than domestic travel. Here is some information about travelling out of India:
Certain countries have relaxed rules for Indians travelling into those countries. Flights to the UAE have been resumed and Indians don’t need vaccine certificates for Dubai (other emirates still require it). Passengers travelling from India to the UK need to quarantine for ten days if they are not fully vaccinated. Many countries are opening up to Indian travellers in a staggered manner.
Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have still not opened their borders and it is expected that Indians may not be able to travel to these counties till 2022. Many countries require passengers to produce negative COVID-19 PCR certificate no older than 72 hours before departure. Or they require passengers to take another test upon landing. More information about restrictions on international flights from India is available on the Bureau of Immigration website however passengers would need to check subsequent notifications for updates.
Unfortunately, many countries do not accept some of the vaccines commonly administered in India. The Bharat Biotech made COVAXIN and Russian made Sputnik vaccines are not recognised by many countries. WHO approval has been an issue. People who have been vaccinated with Covishield will be better off since UK and Gulf countries are accepting people vaccinated with these.
The delta variant of the COVID 19 virus has been more virulent as well as more contagious. Since this strain is more unpredictable and is spreading fast in some of the ASEAN countries, the UK, the USA and the EU, Indians should be wary of travelling to these countries. Equally these countries could have more restrictions and guidelines that could keep evolving as the situation changes.
There are many nonresident Indians and Indian students wanting to travel abroad and Indian nationals wanting to visit their families living abroad. Hence, Indian authorities are working to create air bubbles for specific routes. This is basically a bilateral agreement between two countries that agrees to allow passengers to travel between certain locations subject to agreed rules and regulations.
Travel advisories are changing all the time. Passengers should check the latest rules and requirements for travelling abroad by checking the latest government circulars and airline rules. People have been known to lose a lot of money when they were not allowed to travel because they didn’t have a negative test report or no vaccine certificate or other necessary documents. It is advisable to be fully aware of requirements closer to the travel date, so as not to encounter any nasty surprises at the airport.
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