Guwahati: The government announced on Tuesday that incoming international travellers will no longer be required to complete the COVID vaccination self-declaration forms on the Air Suvidha portal. The choice will take effect at midnight.
A notice from the Civil Aviation ministry read, “In the light of sustained declining COVID-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage both globally as well as in India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals”.
The aviation ministry said that the submission of self-declaration forms through the online Air Suvidha portal has been halted in accordance with the health ministry’s amended standards. The rule might be revisited if necessary in light of the Covid issue, but it also added a legislative caution.
Completion of the form on the Air Suvidha website was required for arriving overseas passengers. Passengers were required to indicate their vaccination status, along with the number of doses received and the dates of each, in it.
This was in accordance with most international laws.
According to the government, the travellers should have had all recommended vaccinations. Additionally, it was advisable to continue with all preventative measures for Covid, including as mask wearing and social seclusion at airports.
The aviation ministry had previously stated that while wearing a mask is no longer required while flying, travellers should do so to avoid a coronavirus outbreak.
Till then, the use of masks in flights was mandatory.
According to the ministry, the decision was made in accordance with the government’s strategy of a graduated approach to Covid-19 management.