Covid-19 Karnataka Overseas Returnees: International Returnees SOP

Centre has issued ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’ owing to the sudden surge of COVID cases in China and the US. The new guidelines will be in effect from Saturday, 24 December.

Guidelines For International Arrivals – Planning For Travel

All travelers who are coming to India should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved preliminary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.

Guideline To Follow During Travel

In-flight announcements about the preventive measures to be followed regarding using masks and following physical distancing.
Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol meaning that the said passenger should mask, be separated from other passengers, and be shifted to an isolation facility for treatment.

On Arrival

De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.
Thermal screening should be done
The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to a designated medical facility
From 1st January 2023, RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for flyers coming from:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Thailand

Note: They will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.

Post-Arrival Protocol To Be Followed

On arrival, a sub-section (2% of the total passengers in the flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport
Such travelers in each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport after that.
If such travelers’ samples are tested positive, they should be sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network.
They shall be treated/isolated as per
All travelers should self-monitor post-arrival and report to their nearest health facility or call the National helpline number (1075) or the State Helpline Number in case they have symptoms.

Note: Children under 12 years of age are exempted from random testing. However, if found symptomatic during arrival or the self-monitoring period, they will be treated according to the protocol.