Exploring the world is on the bucket list of almost every person in the world. Soaking in the beauty, language, culture and delicacies of the nations of the world is an experience no one should miss out on. Sadly, the only place each of us is exploring is the confines of our respective homes. The Covid-19 pandemic has globally united us all in our halt of travel plans.
Though being restrained in our homes has been tough for the travelers in each of us, we rationally understand its impact in the big picture. Thankfully, the world is gradually opening up and unlocking its gates for people of different nationalities as well. The current situation has posed several questions about the USA’s traveling restrictions and guidelines to India, and here’s all you need to know about it.
This is the first question that comes to mind whenever thinking about traveling to a foreign country.
Though the speed of the world opening up to the idea of resuming normal operations has shifted gear, complete autonomy in traveling has not been allowed by the Indian government for people in the US. There the citizens are permitted to enter the territory of India for specific purposes. Short-term reasons like a vacation are still not valid for them. Certain types of travelers like people moving to reside in India or traveling for business purposes have been allowed by the Indian government. Some things to keep in mind regarding entry and exit are:
Yes, there are many ways through which people are screened for COVID-19 while traveling from the US to India. Upon arrival, the first way of screening can be a questionnaire filled by the traveler to disclose health concerns. There will also be thermal scanners in place, which may be manual or automatic. If a fever scanner shows feverish symptoms in any of the passengers, that person is escorted to a specified isolation area for further tests and evaluations.
The situation mentioned above can be difficult for a traveler, but it can go one of two ways. If the person’s lab test comes positive, he/she will be held in that facility until further arrangements are made. If two tests taken within an interval of 24-48 hours consecutively show negative results, the traveler is declared fit to travel after the symptoms subside.
Every person traveling from the US has to serve a quarantine period of 14 days before being cleared to legally enter the land of India. There are no exceptions even for the residents of India or Overseas Citizens of India cardholders (OCI). The only exception is an exemption provided by the Health Ministry of India.
If you are an asymptomatic traveler, you may be asked by some Indian states to serve a quarantine period of 14 days before entering their state boundary. It is either that or a negative test result for COVID-19. This includes no getting out in a public space.
There are government restrictions or international traveling because of which a lesser number of flights are available. There are some additional restrictions on the people who can book a ticket or board the flight. So, if your purpose fulfills the ones permitted by the Government of India, you can choose from the given limited options.
Any person who breaks the mandatory 14 days quarantine period will be punishable under the state government laws and the threat that person posed to the people.
Any traveler found roaming the public spaces without a mask can be booked under non-compliance and fined as per the amount as decided by the state government regulations.
Of all the movies about traveling, the one that strikes a common chord with people worldwide is ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’ The portrayal of Julia Roberts’ character rightly depicts the beauty of the spiritual integrity of India for praying. In times like these, where many people, especially in the USA, are disheartened by the bondage of home and the frustration of loneliness, India seems like the perfect getaway from the USA. With these guidelines in mind, now anyone from the US can do so with ease.