COVID19: Testing (and vaccination) Requirements to enter India
Jan 21, 2022, 12:11 am
#481
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,748
Jan 22, 2022, 2:52 am
#482
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Global Again
Programs: OWS IHG Diamond + Accor Plat, Scandic Top Level
Posts: 762
I'll be flying to BOM from AMS. There is a mandatory requirement for EU to pre-book an arrival covid test and they say you can't leave the airport until your results are back. However, in typical India chaos fashion, the listed providers to pre-book the test with have websites that seem to be largely oblivious to the fact that they are being referred for an arrival test. Some say results will be available in 2-4 hours, some say 48 hours, some say nothing. I would like to book with a reliable provider with a quick turnaround time. The choices listed are:
NorthStar
Metropolis
Suburban
My Lab
Lifenity
Sandor
Can anyone with experience recommend one?
NorthStar
Metropolis
Suburban
My Lab
Lifenity
Sandor
Can anyone with experience recommend one?
Result in 1 hour 40 mins via email.
Jan 22, 2022, 3:27 am
#483
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Data points are all in D/G/H wards of BMC though, so a limited sample of the overall population even though a number of data points within that sample itself.
Jan 22, 2022, 3:30 am
#484
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
I'll be flying to BOM from AMS. There is a mandatory requirement for EU to pre-book an arrival covid test and they say you can't leave the airport until your results are back. However, in typical India chaos fashion, the listed providers to pre-book the test with have websites that seem to be largely oblivious to the fact that they are being referred for an arrival test. Some say results will be available in 2-4 hours, some say 48 hours, some say nothing. I would like to book with a reliable provider with a quick turnaround time. The choices listed are:
NorthStar
Metropolis
Suburban
My Lab
Lifenity
Sandor
Can anyone with experience recommend one?
NorthStar
Metropolis
Suburban
My Lab
Lifenity
Sandor
Can anyone with experience recommend one?
Average time for home PCR test results is around 10 hours (INR 700 cost).
Average time for rapid PCR test results at airport is 48 minutes (INR 1950 cost now).
No issues with online booking and payment either. Plus their customer support team is extremely helpful on both email and phone to schedule home tests in a specific window if you need that.
Jan 22, 2022, 4:21 am
#485
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
Today is day 8 since we landed. No one has contacted us so far but we got our Covid test done this morning. Will upload the results once we get them this evening.
Jan 22, 2022, 5:21 am
#486
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
In other words,
Carry on people, get your pre-arrival PCR test, fill out your air Suvida, wear your mask, and the rest is as it’s always been.
Carry on people, get your pre-arrival PCR test, fill out your air Suvida, wear your mask, and the rest is as it’s always been.
Jan 22, 2022, 1:29 pm
#487
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,182
Modified rules that went into force today: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/R...w-21-01-22.pdf
Jan 22, 2022, 1:42 pm
#488
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 7
Modified rules that went into force today: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/R...w-21-01-22.pdf
Jan 22, 2022, 4:52 pm
#489
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Planet Earth (mostly)
Posts: 263
Arrived in BOM yesterday. After exiting aircraft, we went through a checkpoint where those from "at-risk" countries were told to stand aside. They collected us up and then escorted us to the test location. Payment and test were quickly done and then we were sent to the next stop, which was a cordoned off part of the arrivals area where we had to wait to get the test results. That took about 1.5 hours, they send you an email or you can just check at the results desks set up in the area. Once your test comes back negative, they let you out to the baggage claim area and you are done.
One observation is that a lot of people don't give a sh@t or follow their own rules, including the testing and security personnel. I saw quite a number of them wearing their mask under their nose or on their chin, while those of us who take care of ourselves and others by wearing a mask the right way get treated like we are the "threat" to the country. Once out on the streets, people either wear a mask or don't as they please. Any form of social distancing is optional at best. I had to ask several people in cafes and restaurants to keep their distance (e.g.a woman next in line with her mask off stood about 30cm/1 foot from me until I asked her to give me some space). It was pretty much impossible to find a taxi or ricksha driver who wore a mask properly. They do so when asked, but not before. So I find the whole process quite hypocritical. The real threat to India doesn't come from other countries. I have 2 vaccinations + a booster, tested negative before departure and always take proper precautions - I am anything but "high risk", which I can't say about most of the locals I have seen.
This kinda sums it up (ironically, this is one of the testing desks):
One observation is that a lot of people don't give a sh@t or follow their own rules, including the testing and security personnel. I saw quite a number of them wearing their mask under their nose or on their chin, while those of us who take care of ourselves and others by wearing a mask the right way get treated like we are the "threat" to the country. Once out on the streets, people either wear a mask or don't as they please. Any form of social distancing is optional at best. I had to ask several people in cafes and restaurants to keep their distance (e.g.a woman next in line with her mask off stood about 30cm/1 foot from me until I asked her to give me some space). It was pretty much impossible to find a taxi or ricksha driver who wore a mask properly. They do so when asked, but not before. So I find the whole process quite hypocritical. The real threat to India doesn't come from other countries. I have 2 vaccinations + a booster, tested negative before departure and always take proper precautions - I am anything but "high risk", which I can't say about most of the locals I have seen.
This kinda sums it up (ironically, this is one of the testing desks):
Last edited by EU-US; Jan 22, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Jan 22, 2022, 5:09 pm
#490
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Planet Earth (mostly)
Posts: 263
On a different note, does anyone know what are the actual requirements for domestic Air India flights from BOM to Kochi? Air India's website seems oblivious to the fact that there is a pandemic, the only covid info I can find is buried in the menus and gives zero useful info. The only page that mentions regulations for domestic flights is in Hindi only.
I have read somewhere else that an "e-pass" was required and two websites that mention this redirect here "to register for a mandatory e-pass": https://covid19jagratha.kerala.nic.in - which is a general page without a single mention of what an e-pass is or how to register for one.
This is pretty much all you get from Air India:
I have read somewhere else that an "e-pass" was required and two websites that mention this redirect here "to register for a mandatory e-pass": https://covid19jagratha.kerala.nic.in - which is a general page without a single mention of what an e-pass is or how to register for one.
This is pretty much all you get from Air India:
Jan 22, 2022, 5:27 pm
#491
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Philadelphia, USA
Programs: Marriott Platinum, American Platinum, Singapore KrisFlyer
Posts: 138
I need to visit Chennai in May and have a choice between JFK-DEL-MAA on AA versus PHL-DOH-MAA on QF (I live in the PHL area). I saw one of the earlier posts had a photograph which indicated that passengers arriving from the Middle East were also subject to a PCR test upon arrival. However, the middle east is not included on the Ministry of Health & Family welfare website
Can someone please clarify this? I would much rather fly QF from PHL and avoid transiting through DEL, but if I have to go through a PCR test on arrival, it is not worth it.
Related: Emirates is another option, but there is a stopover in Athens (if flying from EWR). Does India consider that as a European arrival and impose a mandatory quarantine?
Thanks!
Can someone please clarify this? I would much rather fly QF from PHL and avoid transiting through DEL, but if I have to go through a PCR test on arrival, it is not worth it.
Related: Emirates is another option, but there is a stopover in Athens (if flying from EWR). Does India consider that as a European arrival and impose a mandatory quarantine?
Thanks!
Jan 22, 2022, 7:49 pm
#492
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
I need to visit Chennai in May and have a choice between JFK-DEL-MAA on AA versus PHL-DOH-MAA on QF (I live in the PHL area). I saw one of the earlier posts had a photograph which indicated that passengers arriving from the Middle East were also subject to a PCR test upon arrival. However, the middle east is not included on the Ministry of Health & Family welfare website
Can someone please clarify this? I would much rather fly QF from PHL and avoid transiting through DEL, but if I have to go through a PCR test on arrival, it is not worth it.
Related: Emirates is another option, but there is a stopover in Athens (if flying from EWR). Does India consider that as a European arrival and impose a mandatory quarantine?
Thanks!
Can someone please clarify this? I would much rather fly QF from PHL and avoid transiting through DEL, but if I have to go through a PCR test on arrival, it is not worth it.
Related: Emirates is another option, but there is a stopover in Athens (if flying from EWR). Does India consider that as a European arrival and impose a mandatory quarantine?
Thanks!
The posters on this thread are confused between Australian style forced quarantine and Indian style soft quarantine; the difference being India just suggests.
Jan 22, 2022, 7:51 pm
#493
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
On a different note, does anyone know what are the actual requirements for domestic Air India flights from BOM to Kochi? Air India's website seems oblivious to the fact that there is a pandemic, the only covid info I can find is buried in the menus and gives zero useful info. The only page that mentions regulations for domestic flights is in Hindi only.
Indigo Airlines has a better setup.
Jan 22, 2022, 8:28 pm
#494
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
Arrived in BOM yesterday. After exiting aircraft, we went through a checkpoint where those from "at-risk" countries were told to stand aside. They collected us up and then escorted us to the test location. Payment and test were quickly done and then we were sent to the next stop, which was a cordoned off part of the arrivals area where we had to wait to get the test results. That took about 1.5 hours, they send you an email or you can just check at the results desks set up in the area. Once your test comes back negative, they let you out to the baggage claim area and you are done.
One observation is that a lot of people don't give a sh@t or follow their own rules, including the testing and security personnel. I saw quite a number of them wearing their mask under their nose or on their chin, while those of us who take care of ourselves and others by wearing a mask the right way get treated like we are the "threat" to the country. Once out on the streets, people either wear a mask or don't as they please. Any form of social distancing is optional at best. I had to ask several people in cafes and restaurants to keep their distance (e.g.a woman next in line with her mask off stood about 30cm/1 foot from me until I asked her to give me some space). It was pretty much impossible to find a taxi or ricksha driver who wore a mask properly. They do so when asked, but not before. So I find the whole process quite hypocritical. The real threat to India doesn't come from other countries. I have 2 vaccinations + a booster, tested negative before departure and always take proper precautions - I am anything but "high risk", which I can't say about most of the locals I have seen.
This kinda sums it up (ironically, this is one of the testing desks):
One observation is that a lot of people don't give a sh@t or follow their own rules, including the testing and security personnel. I saw quite a number of them wearing their mask under their nose or on their chin, while those of us who take care of ourselves and others by wearing a mask the right way get treated like we are the "threat" to the country. Once out on the streets, people either wear a mask or don't as they please. Any form of social distancing is optional at best. I had to ask several people in cafes and restaurants to keep their distance (e.g.a woman next in line with her mask off stood about 30cm/1 foot from me until I asked her to give me some space). It was pretty much impossible to find a taxi or ricksha driver who wore a mask properly. They do so when asked, but not before. So I find the whole process quite hypocritical. The real threat to India doesn't come from other countries. I have 2 vaccinations + a booster, tested negative before departure and always take proper precautions - I am anything but "high risk", which I can't say about most of the locals I have seen.
This kinda sums it up (ironically, this is one of the testing desks):
Jan 23, 2022, 1:17 am
#495
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
To add more drama to our situation, we got our results last night & unfortunately my wife's test came back positive, albeit with a extremely low viral count. Me & my kids are negative. Have uploaded all results on the Air Suvidha website. Lets see what happens next.