Delhi Airport's Covid Testing: Procedure And Availability

As of March 31, 2021, the Delhi Airport authorities announced that random COVID-19 testing would be conducted on passengers arriving from states or countries witnessing a surge in cases. Passengers who test positive will have to undergo mandatory quarantine, either at their place of stay or in a hospital for 10 days, as per health ministry protocols. This move was implemented to reduce the risk of new COVID-19 variants entering India. The Delhi government also advised the public to rigorously observe safety measures in public places, especially in markets and malls.

Random Covid testing at Delhi Airport

The Delhi Airport authorities have implemented random Covid testing for arriving passengers to prevent the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of all travellers. The testing is mandatory for all passengers arriving from states or countries with a high number of Covid cases. The random testing is conducted in accordance with the guidelines set by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Testing Procedure

The testing procedure at Delhi Airport is efficient and well-organised. Passengers selected for random testing provide samples and are then allowed to exit the airport. The samples are tested, and if a passenger is found to be positive, they are required to undergo mandatory quarantine as per the Health Ministry protocols. The quarantine period is typically 10 days, and it can be done at their place of stay or a hospital.

Impact of Testing

The random Covid testing at Delhi Airport has been an effective measure to identify and contain positive cases. The testing helps prevent the further spread of the virus and ensures the safety of the wider community. It also raises awareness among travellers about the importance of adhering to Covid-appropriate behaviour, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

Future Measures

The authorities at Delhi Airport and the government are committed to protecting the health and safety of travellers. They continue to monitor the Covid situation and adjust their measures accordingly. The airport has also urged incoming international travellers to be vaccinated according to the primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 before their journey.

The random Covid testing at Delhi Airport is a crucial step in the fight against the pandemic. By identifying positive cases and enforcing mandatory quarantine, the authorities are working to curb the spread of the virus. These measures ensure that travellers can have a safe journey while also contributing to the overall public health efforts.

Mandatory quarantine for positive cases

As per the latest government mandate, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will conduct random COVID-19 testing of passengers arriving at the Delhi airport from states or countries where cases are increasing. This is being done to reduce the risk of new COVID-19 variants entering India. The DDMA authorities will conduct random testing (RAT/RT-PCR) of passengers at all airports, railway stations, Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBT), and other alighting points.

After the collection of samples, travellers will be allowed to exit the airport. However, those who test positive for COVID-19 will be mandatorily quarantined as per the protocol of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The positive cases will be quarantined at their place of stay or a hospital for 10 days, as per the Health Ministry protocols. In the notice, the government has warned of strict action if people are found violating COVID protocols.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has asked airlines to make announcements in-flight and at all entry points about the ongoing pandemic and the precautionary measures. This will help spread awareness about COVID-19 among flyers. The guidelines also mention that if passengers show signs of COVID-19 while travelling, they will be isolated and segregated from other travellers. Later, they will be sent to a medical facility for follow-up treatment.

International travellers planning a trip to India should keep these guidelines in mind to ensure a safe and healthy journey.

Testing for children

The rules for testing children for COVID-19 at Delhi Airport have changed over time and also depend on where the child is arriving from.

Current Rules for Children Arriving from International Destinations

Children under the age of 5 are exempt from both pre- and post-arrival COVID-19 testing for India. However, if a child under 5 is displaying symptoms of coronavirus on arrival or during the home quarantine period, they will be tested and treated according to the protocol.

Rules for Children Arriving from 'At-Risk' Countries

If a child is arriving from a country deemed to be ''at-risk,' they will need to follow the same testing rules as adults. This includes pre-booking an on-arrival RT-PCR test.

Previous Rules for Children Arriving from International Destinations

Previously, children under the age of 12 were exempt from post-arrival random testing. However, if a child under 12 was displaying symptoms of coronavirus on arrival or during the self-monitoring period, they would be tested and treated according to the protocol.

Pre-booking RT-PCR tests

The Indian government has made it mandatory for passengers arriving from 'at-risk' countries to pre-book an on-arrival RT-PCR test at six major airports, including Delhi Airport. This rule came into effect on December 20, 2021, amid concerns over the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

How to pre-book an RT-PCR test at Delhi Airport:

• Navigate to the assigned website: www.newdelhiairport.in.
• Find the "Book COVID test" option: On the homepage, click on the "Book COVID test" option on the upper right side. You can also directly input your details on the homepage.
• Select your travel type: Choose between International departure or arrival. For domestic travel, select as per your requirement.
• Fill in the necessary details: Provide all the required details, such as your SDR number, email, Aadhar card number, phone number, time slots, and dates.
• Select the test type: Choose between the RT-PCR test (results in 7-8 hours) and the Rapid PCR test (results within 30-90 minutes). The RT-PCR test costs ₹500, while the rapid test costs ₹3,500.
• Finalize your booking: Follow the provided instructions to confirm your booking. The sample will be collected according to your selected time slot and arrival at the airport.

It is recommended to pre-book your slot well in advance to avoid any delays at the airport, especially if you have a connecting domestic flight. Ensure that all your details are entered correctly to avoid complications with the test certificate.

Testing for international arrivals

As of May 2023, the Indian government has been randomly testing 2% of all international arrivals at the Delhi airport. This is in addition to mandatory RT-PCR tests for passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

From 24 December 2021, passengers coming from 'at-risk' countries had to pre-book and undergo an on-arrival RT-PCR test. These tests were implemented at six major airports, including Delhi. 'At-risk' countries included the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Hong Kong, China, Ghana, Mauritius, New Zealand, and Israel.

From 24 December 2024, 2% of international arrivals were required to undergo random post-arrival testing at the Delhi Airport to reduce the risk of the ingress of the new COVID-19 variant BF.7. Flyers who will take the test will be identified by their respective airlines, and those who test positive will be sent for genome testing and treated according to the protocol. Children under 12 are exempt from post-arrival random testing.

All international passengers are advised to be vaccinated according to the primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 before commencing their journey. Airlines have been instructed to make announcements in-flight and at all entry points about the ongoing pandemic and precautionary measures.

If passengers show signs of COVID-19 while travelling, they will be isolated and sent to a medical facility for follow-up treatment. At the Delhi Airport, flyers need to de-board following physical distancing and undergo thermal screening at the points of entry. If someone is found symptomatic during this process, they will be immediately isolated and taken to a designated medical facility.

Frequently asked questions