Delhi Airport's Covid Safety Measures: Effective Or Not?

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, enhanced hygiene facilities, contactless check-in, and thermal screening for all passengers. The airport also provides COVID-19 testing facilities for arriving passengers, with results available within 4-6 hours. Additionally, India is constructing 13 new quarantine centres at international airports, including Delhi, to isolate symptomatic travellers. The airport also offers a range of services for transit passengers, such as luggage screening, inter-terminal commute options, transit hotels, dining and shopping outlets, airport lounges, spa services, and free Wi-Fi.

Hand sanitisation, face masks and social distancing are mandatory at Delhi Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has implemented a series of measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff. The airport has enhanced its hygiene facilities, introduced contactless check-in, and made COVID-appropriate behaviour mandatory at all checkpoints.

Hand sanitisation, face masks, and social distancing are mandatory at Delhi Airport. All passengers must adhere to the following health protocols:

• Travellers must wear a face mask or face cover at all times.
• Passengers must practise hand hygiene and maintain a physical distance of six feet as far as feasible.
• Spitting in public spaces while travelling is strictly prohibited.
• It is recommended that passengers install the Arogya Setu app on their mobile phones.
• If a passenger develops a fever while travelling, they must immediately inform the cabin crew, TTE, or bus conductor, depending on the situation.

Additionally, passengers arriving at the airport on international flights from specific countries are classified as high-risk. These travellers must undergo mandatory pre-departure RT-PCR testing and Air Suvidha registration.

It is important to note that the guidelines for COVID-19 safety and travel are subject to change and update. Therefore, passengers are advised to stay informed about the latest regulations and follow all the necessary precautions for their own safety and the safety of others.

Travellers from high-risk countries must pre-register on Air Suvidha and show a negative RT-PCR test

As of January 2023, travellers flying from high-risk countries to India must adhere to the following guidelines:

Air Suvidha Registration and RT-PCR Testing

All travellers flying from high-risk countries must register on the Air Suvidha portal and submit a negative RT-PCR test report. This applies to travellers from China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. The RT-PCR test must be conducted within 72 hours before undertaking the journey, and the negative report must be uploaded to the Air Suvidha portal before flying. This requirement is in addition to the guideline that mandates random post-arrival testing for 2% of international flyers.

Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form

The Air Suvidha self-declaration form must be filled out by all international arrivals. This form includes personal details such as vaccination status, travel information for the last 14 days, recent RT-PCR test report, passport number, and email address. Submitting this form facilitates contract tracing and helps prevent the spread of the virus.

RT-PCR Testing for Children

Children under 12 years of age are exempt from both pre-departure and post-arrival RT-PCR testing. However, their parents or guardians must complete the Air Suvidha self-declaration form on their behalf.

Transit Passengers from High-Risk Countries

Passengers taking transit flights to India from high-risk countries must also submit a negative RT-PCR report and fill out the Air Suvidha form.

Quarantine Requirements

As per the latest government advisory, passengers arriving from high-risk countries must undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test within 72 hours before their journey. They should upload a negative RT-PCR test report during self-declaration on the Air Suvidha portal and show it to the concerned airline before boarding.

Guidelines for Passengers from Non-High-Risk Countries

Passengers arriving from non-high-risk countries are not required to fill out the self-declaration form. They should contact their airline for further information.

Travellers from non-risk countries are exempt from pre-departure testing and Air Suvidha registration

Travellers from non-risk countries are not required to undergo pre-departure testing or register with Air Suvidha when travelling to Delhi Airport. This is because these countries are deemed to have a low risk of COVID-19 transmission. The Indian government has stated that travellers from non-risk countries should preferably be fully vaccinated according to their country's approved vaccination schedule. Additionally, proof of vaccination is required for travellers from non-risk countries.

Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, travellers from non-risk countries are subject to an easy and relaxed arrival procedure. Only 2% of them are randomly tested, and if they are asymptomatic, they are allowed to leave the airport or take a connecting domestic flight. There is also thermal screening at the airport, and only asymptomatic children under 12 years of age are exempt from random testing.

Delhi Airport has enhanced hygiene facilities, social distancing markers and offers contactless check-in

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its passengers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some key aspects of their enhanced hygiene facilities, social distancing protocols, and contactless check-in procedures:

Enhanced Hygiene Facilities:

• Sanitation: The airport authorities have prioritized sanitation and disinfection, ensuring that every corner of the airport is thoroughly sanitized for the safety of passengers and staff.
• Hand Hygiene: Passengers are advised to maintain hand hygiene by using hand sanitizers and washing their hands frequently. Hand sanitizer dispensers are available throughout the airport.
• Thermal Screening: All passengers and staff undergo thermal screening upon entry. Anyone displaying symptoms or having a fever is isolated and tested for COVID-19, including the new Omicron variant.
• COVID-19 Testing: The airport offers onsite COVID-19 testing facilities for arriving passengers, with results available within 4-6 hours. This service is particularly useful for those who could not get tested before their departure or need a negative test report for their onward journey.
• COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour: Announcements and signage remind passengers and staff to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, such as wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and avoiding spitting in public spaces.

Social Distancing Markers:

• Floor Stickers: Social distancing floor stickers and markers are placed throughout the airport to guide passengers on maintaining a safe distance from one another.
• Seating Arrangements: The seating arrangements in waiting areas and lounges have been adjusted to ensure adequate distance between individuals or groups.
• Queue Management: Directional signs and markers guide passengers to maintain physical distancing while queuing for check-in, security checks, and boarding.

Contactless Check-In:

• Online Check-In: Passengers are encouraged to use online or mobile check-in options provided by their airlines whenever possible to reduce contact and congestion at check-in counters.
• Self-Service Kiosks: The airport provides self-service kiosks that allow passengers to print boarding passes and bag tags, minimizing interactions with staff.
• Scan and Fly Facility: Delhi Airport offers a hassle-free boarding pass printing service through its Scan and Fly facility, further reducing the need for close contact with airport staff.
• Contactless Payments: Contactless payment options are available at various outlets and service counters throughout the airport, including restaurants, retail shops, and parking facilities.
• Buggy Service: For passengers who need assistance with mobility, a buggy service is available between Terminals 3 and 2, reducing the need for close contact with staff or other passengers.

The combination of enhanced hygiene facilities, social distancing markers, and contactless check-in options at Delhi Airport helps ensure the safety and well-being of travellers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are regularly reviewed and updated based on the latest guidelines and recommendations from health authorities.

Travellers with a boarding pass can get free shuttle rides between terminals

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has implemented a series of measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include mandatory pre-departure RT-PCR testing and Air Suvidha registration for travellers from high-risk countries, thermal screening at the airport, social distancing markers and stickers, enhanced hygiene facilities, and mandatory mask-wearing.

Inter-Terminal Shuttle Service:

Delhi Airport offers a complimentary shuttle service that connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3, with buses arriving every 20 minutes. This service is free for passengers with a connecting flight, who can present their boarding pass or ticket to officials to obtain a coupon for the shuttle. The shuttle buses are air-conditioned and have designated stops at each terminal. The ride between Terminals 1 and 2/3 usually takes 20-25 minutes, while the journey between Terminals 2 and 3 is less than 10 minutes.

Passengers without connecting flights can also avail of this service for a small fee of INR 25. Additionally, travellers can use the Metro Feeder Bus Service provided by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to commute between Terminals 1 and 2 for a fee of INR 40.

Frequently asked questions