Delhi Airport: Rt-Pcr Mandatory Or Not?

As of January 2022, the Delhi Airport does not require a negative RT-PCR test report for travellers arriving in the city. However, passengers may be randomly selected for testing at the airport, irrespective of their vaccination status. Those who test positive will have to quarantine at home or a centre for 10 days.

RT-PCR tests for passengers arriving from 'at-risk' countries

RT-PCR Tests for Passengers Arriving from At-Risk Countries

As per the Delhi government, passengers arriving from high-risk countries will have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR tests and seven days of home quarantine. After the seven-day quarantine, the person must take another RT-PCR test. If the test is negative, they can come out of quarantine but will have to monitor their health for the next seven days.

The Delhi government will create a separate institutional isolation facility for those testing positive. The sample will be sent for genome sequencing, and discharge from the hospital will be at the treating physician's discretion.

Testing Requirements

All passengers, including children aged five and above, must upload their Covid-19 RT-PCR results on the Air Suvidha online portal. The RT-PCR test must be taken within 72 hours of their journey. All passengers must present a hard copy of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR certificate at the time of departure because digital copies will not be allowed.

Before boarding your flight to India, all passengers, including children and infants, must submit a self-declaration form under the Air Suvidha section of the online portal. International passengers must declare their current health status before boarding. They need to upload a copy of their passport, vaccination certificate, PCR negative certificate (conducted within 72 hours of departure), and complete contact details and address before the scheduled departure.

After completing the Air Suvidha portal, passengers will receive an approval code, which must be presented at the time of departure. All passengers must download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices.

RT-PCR tests for passengers in transit

Delhi Airport

As per the latest COVID-19 guidelines, passengers flying to Delhi Airport from international destinations must follow the health protocols listed below:

• It is advised that flyers self-monitor their health and travel only if they do not show any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Travellers must wear a face mask/cover and practise hand hygiene and physical distancing of six feet as far as feasible.
• Passengers are advised to install the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.
• If a passenger develops a fever while travelling, they must inform the cabin crew/TTE/bus conductor as soon as possible.
• Flyers who develop COVID-19 symptoms after reaching their destination should inform the District Surveillance Officer or the State National Call Centre (1075).

Kolkata Airport

The Kolkata Airport authorities have clarified that passengers whose final destination is not West Bengal and who do not need to leave the airport do not need to carry an RT-PCR report.

Bangalore Airport

According to the latest updates, passengers arriving at Bangalore Airport from any state in India do not need to produce an RT-PCR negative report. However, arrivals from Punjab, Chandigarh, Maharashtra and Kerala will need to show a negative RT-PCR report.

India

The Government of India has stated that the entry of international passengers is dependent on the strict policies laid out by the country. The guidelines issued on 7 January 2022 (effective from 11 January 2022) stated that a negative RT-PCR report was mandatory for travellers. However, a new set of guidelines were released on 10 February 2022 (effective from 14 February 2022), which removed the mandatory 72-hour RT-PCR report requirement for travellers who could show their full vaccination certificate.

RT-PCR tests for passengers arriving from specific states

As of 2024, the Government of India has reviewed its guidelines for international arrivals, and a negative RT-PCR test is no longer mandatory if travellers can show their full vaccination certificate. However, passengers arriving from specific states and union territories may still need to present a negative RT-PCR test report. Here are the requirements for some states:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

All passengers travelling to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by air must have a mandatory negative RT-PCR test taken 48 hours before their journey. All arriving passengers will undergo a rapid antigen test and a compulsory 7-day quarantine, even with a negative RT-PCR test.

Bihar

Passengers arriving at Gaya and Patna from Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, and New Delhi are required to carry out an RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure. A 10-day home quarantine is mandatory for passengers coming from Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, and NCR.

Chandigarh

It is mandatory for airline passengers arriving in Chandigarh from other states or union territories to carry a negative RT-PCR report, not older than 72 hours from an ICMR-approved laboratory, or be in possession of a vaccination certificate (at least one dose) that is more than two weeks old.

Chhattisgarh

Airline passengers originating their journey from any city/airport in Maharashtra will require an RT-PCR negative report from ICMR-accredited labs done within the last 72 hours.

Goa

A full vaccination certificate or a Covid-19 negative report from an RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours before entering Goa is mandatory for people coming from outside the state via roadways.

Gujarat

A Covid-19 negative report from an RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours before entering Gujarat is mandatory for people coming from outside the state via roadways.

Jammu and Kashmir

All passengers arriving at Jammu Airport must have their RT-PCR (negative) report with them, no older than 72 hours upon arrival. In case a passenger arrives without a negative RT-PCR report, they will be tested upon arrival and must quarantine until the report is obtained.

Jharkhand

On arrival, travellers without a negative RT-PCR report must undergo an RT-PCR test at the airport and fill up a self-declaration form. Mandatory thermal screening will be conducted for all travellers arriving from Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana, and symptomatic travellers will be tested for RT-PCR/TRUENAT.

Karnataka

All students arriving from Kerala must undergo mandatory 7 days of institutional quarantine before they start their studies. No quarantine is required for other travellers arriving in Karnataka.

Kerala

All passengers who intend to visit any other state or union territory after entering Kerala must have an entry pass for Kerala and also the state or union territory they intend to visit.

Madhya Pradesh

All passengers entering the state from Maharashtra must carry a negative RT-PCR test report with a sample taken within 72 hours before arrival.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for people flying in from other states to come with a negative RT-PCR test report conducted within 48 hours of travelling. Without a negative RT-PCR report, the passenger will not be allowed to board the flight.

Odisha

All passengers travelling via railways from West Bengal will have to undergo institutional quarantining mandatorily for 14 days. If passengers are able to produce a negative Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR report or vaccination certificate, then institutional quarantine will be reduced to seven days.

Punjab

International travellers arriving in Punjab must undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at the airport if they do not have a negative RT-PCR test report conducted within 72 hours before arrival. Thereafter, travellers must quarantine for the next seven days.

Rajasthan

All visitors to Udaipur must produce a negative RT-PCR test if they wish to book a hotel room. They must also upload a copy of their test report on http://emitra.rajasthan.gov.in.

Tamil Nadu

All travellers from Kerala flying to Tamil Nadu must either carry a valid vaccination certificate (both doses done) or a negative RT-PCR test report (sample taken within 72 hours before arrival). Travellers from all other states can enter without restrictions.

Uttar Pradesh

All vaccinated and non-vaccinated passengers travelling to West Bengal from Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai must carry an RT-PCR negative report with a sample taken within 72 hours. RT-PCR timeline starts from the swab collection time. Passengers travelling to the state might not be allowed to board their flights if they are not carrying a valid test report.

West Bengal

As per the latest guidelines of the West Bengal Government, passengers coming from Pune, Mumbai, and Chennai need to mandatorily carry RT-PCR negative reports with them, not older than 72 hours from the flight departure. Travellers coming from all other states need to either carry an RT-PCR test report or a certificate of full vaccination.

RT-PCR tests for passengers departing from Delhi

Overview

The Delhi Airport has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its passengers during the pandemic. One of the key measures is the requirement for RT-PCR tests for departing passengers. The guidelines for these tests have evolved over time, with the airport authorities and the Government of India making necessary adjustments in response to the changing nature of the pandemic and the increasing vaccination coverage. Here is a comprehensive guide to the RT-PCR testing requirements for passengers departing from Delhi, covering the most recent updates.

RT-PCR Testing Requirements

The RT-PCR testing requirements for passengers departing from Delhi have varied over time and are subject to change based on the latest guidelines issued by the Government of India and the airport authorities. Here are the key points to note:

• Previous Requirements: In the past, the Delhi Airport required all departing passengers to undergo RT-PCR testing. This mandate applied to both domestic and international travellers, with specific guidelines for each category.
• Current Requirements: As of January 2022, the mandatory 72-hour report of RT-PCR is no longer required if travellers can show their full Vaccination Certificate. This change was announced by the Union Health Minister, simplifying the process for fully vaccinated individuals.
• International Travel: For international travel, fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from the mandatory RT-PCR test. However, if an individual is not fully vaccinated, they must upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report conducted within 72 hours prior to the scheduled travel. This requirement applies to all international departures from Delhi Airport.
• Domestic Travel: For domestic travel within India, the guidelines vary based on the destination state's requirements. Some states, such as Karnataka, have mandated RT-PCR negative reports or proof of vaccination for incoming passengers. It is essential to check the specific requirements for your destination state before departure.
• Random Testing: Additionally, the Delhi Airport has implemented random testing for a small percentage of departing passengers. This measure is in place to enhance safety and help identify potential cases. Selected passengers may be subjected to random RT-PCR testing, regardless of their vaccination status.
• Testing Facilities: The Delhi Airport has improved its testing facilities to reduce the time and inconvenience for passengers. As of December 2021, the airport has 35 rapid RT-PCR testing machines functional within Terminal 3, reducing the screening and testing time for passengers.
• Costs: The cost of RT-PCR testing at the Delhi Airport varies depending on the type of test chosen. The standard RT-PCR Test costs INR 500 and takes 6 to 8 hours for the report. The Rapid PCR Test, which provides results within 60 to 90 minutes, costs INR 3500.
• Waiting and Quarantine: Passengers who undergo testing at the Delhi Airport are required to wait at the designated lounge areas until their test results are available. Those who test negative are allowed to proceed with their travel plans, while those who test positive are directed to institutional quarantine as per the guidelines.
• Other Precautions: In addition to RT-PCR testing, the Delhi Airport implements various other safety measures. These include thermal screening of all passengers, social distancing markers, enhanced hygiene facilities, and mandatory mask usage.

The RT-PCR testing requirements for passengers departing from Delhi have evolved to align with the changing pandemic situation and vaccination coverage. Currently, fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from mandatory RT-PCR testing for international travel. However, specific guidelines apply for domestic travel, depending on the destination state's requirements. Random testing may also be conducted at the airport for a small percentage of passengers. It is essential for travellers to stay updated with the latest guidelines and ensure compliance with the necessary testing requirements for a safe and smooth journey.

RT-PCR tests for passengers arriving in Delhi

As per the latest COVID-19 guidelines, all passengers arriving at Delhi Airport from international destinations must adhere to the following rules:

For Fully Vaccinated Passengers:

• Upload your negative RT-PCR test report, taken within 72 hours of the scheduled departure, on the Air Suvidha portal. Alternatively, you can upload a certificate of completing the full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Undergo thermal screening at the airport.
• If you are found symptomatic during the flight or screening, you will be isolated and tested as per the protocol.
• Monitor your health for 14 days after arrival.

For Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Passengers:

• Upload your negative RT-PCR test report, taken within 72 hours of the scheduled departure, on the Air Suvidha portal.
• Undergo thermal screening at the airport.
• If you are found symptomatic during the flight or screening, you will be isolated and tested as per the protocol.
• You may be randomly selected for post-arrival testing at the airport.
• Home quarantine for 7 days and undertake an RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival in India.

Please note that these guidelines are subject to change, and it is recommended to check the official website for the latest updates before your travel.

Frequently asked questions