Passengers arriving in Maharashtra can skip quarantine process: International flights

MUMBAI: The ministry of civil aviation and the Maharashtra government on Thursday relaxed quarantine norms framed to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 in the state. The move is aimed at abating the stress for passengers arriving at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and reduce the time taken by them to leave the airport.

Some international passengers arriving at the airport can now skip the compulsory institutional quarantine, CSMIA said. “Concessions on quarantine regulations have been made for international passengers travelling because of an emergency and those who have undertaken an RT-PCR test within 96 hours of their journey. The initiative enables arriving passengers to fill the self-declaration form online at least 72 hours before their scheduled travel to be exempt from institutional quarantine," said CSMIA.

All inbound international passengers have to undergo two stages of quarantine on arrival, according to the state government’s directives. The passengers have to undergo a seven-day institutional quarantine followed by seven days of home quarantine.

However, travelers would now be able to sidestep the institutional isolate by filling in the self-statement structure 72 hours before their excursion. Travelers should transfer confirmation of the negative RT-PCR test embraced inside 96 hours of the



excursion. 

In case of any crisis, for example, pregnancy, passing in the family, genuine ailment, and individuals with youngsters under 10 years old, home isolate of 14 days will be considered lawfully adequate, said CSMIA. In addition, CSMIA, alongside the Airport Health Organization (APHO) group, has made a green channel for all showing up travelers who have filled the applications on the online entry.

In the absence of an emergency or timely submission of the negative RT-PCR test on the portal, passengers will be subjected to the mandatory two-stage quarantine.

APHOs work under Indian Aircraft (Public Health) rules 1954 and IHR2005. The organization was created largely to contain the spread of serious infectious diseases, inspect and certify food establishments at airports and its vicinity, and maintain hygiene and sanitation.

All domestic and international passengers will still have to undergo thermal screening at the airport, CSMIA said.

All domestic passengers arriving at CSMIA will have to observe a 14-day home quarantine and a stamp will be placed on the left hand of the passenger by state-appointed officials. Travellers intending to leave the city within seven days can produce their travel ticket confirming their return or onward journey to be exempted from home quarantine.