New guidelines for domestic, international flyers

New Delhi: New rules for domestic travel during the lockdown were released by the government on Sunday, including advising passengers to download the Aarogya Setu application on their mobile devices and asking states to ensure thermal screening at departure point of airports, railway stations and bus terminals.

The guidelines were shared by Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who also shared new rules for international travel. The minister said on Saturday that international flight operations may start by mid-June or end-July if the Covid-19 virus "behaves in a predictable manner".

The guidelines come a day before the resumption of air travel after nearly two-months hiatus following lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"Prescribed clinical protocol will be followed in case any domestic or international traveller shows symptoms of Covid-19. States can also develop their own protocol for quarantine and isolation as per their own assessment," Puri said.

The Centre said asymptomatic domestic passengers will be allowed to proceed to their destination on arrival but will need to self-monitor their health for 14 days.

The guidelines for international arrivals mandate that all travellers before boarding aircraft to India "shall give an undertaking that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days — 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health."

For international arrivals, 14-day home quarantine can be permitted in exceptional cases like "human distress, pregnancy, death in family, serious illness and parent(s) accompanied by children below 10 years" by receiving states.

Such arrivals will mandatorily need to use the Aarogya Setu app. The guidelines for domestic travellers say: "Those found symptomatic will be isolated and taken to the nearest health facility.

If positive, they will continue in Covid Care Centre and will be managed as per clinical protocol. If negative, the passenger may be allowed to go home," the domestic traveller guidelines say.

For international travellers, the Health ministry says everyone will be screened on arrival. "Passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility as per health protocol.

The remaining passengers shall be taken to suitable institutional quarantine facilities, to be arranged by the respective State/ UT governments. These passengers shall be kept under institutional quarantine for a minimum period of 7 days. If they test positive, they shall be assessed clinically," the guidelines say.

"If they are assessed as mild cases, they will be allowed home isolation or isolated in Covid Care Centre (both public and private facilities). Those having moderate or severe symptoms will be admitted to dedicated Covid health facilities and managed accordingly.

If found negative, they shall be advised to further isolate themselves at home and self-monitor their health for 7 days. In case, any symptoms develop they shall inform the district surveillance officer or the state/national call centre," the Health ministry says for international arrivals.