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Travelling from Maharashtra to Karnataka? Important update on Covid-19 RT-PCR test

People arriving from Maharashtra will no longer require a negative RT-PCR test report to enter Karnataka, said a letter from the state health department. However, they would still need to produce their vaccination certificates showing their 'fully vaccinated' status. "In view of current COVID-19 situation, the mandate of possessing RT-PCR negative test report shall be discontinued for those arriving from the state of Maharashtra (Airways, Railways, Road Transport and personal vehicle). However, the production of a two dose/full dose vaccination certificates shall be continued with strict enforcement. The above-revised surveillance measures are notified herewith to be complied for arrivals from Maharashtra until further orders," reads the letter from the health department. Meanwhile, Karnataka reported 3,976 new cases of COVID-19 during the last 24 hours, said the state health department on Friday. As per the health bulletin issued by the department, the positivity rate for the day currently stands at 3.47 per cent. A total of 1,14,302 samples were tested during the last 24 hours. With this, the total cases of the disease in the state have gone up to 39,21,095. During the last 24 hours, 11,377 patients recovered from the infection, taking the total recoveries in the state to 38,36,915.41 people lost their lives to the deadly virus during the last 24 hours. The death toll in the state due to the virus stands at 39,575. There are currently 44,571 active COVID-19 cases in the state.

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TRAVEL NEWS – LIVE: SPAIN TO ALLOW UNVACCINATED CHILDREN TO ENTER WITH A PCR TEST

Spain will allow unvaccinated children to enter the country with a negative PCR test result from 14 February, the country’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism has announced. “The government updates the health requirements for entry to Spain for the group between 12 and 17 years of age from non-EU countries... Starting at 00:00h. on Monday 14 may submit negative NAAT test (RT-PCR or similar) made 72h before,” tweeted the Ministry on Friday. The news comes slightly too late for half-term holidays, which start on Monday - many families will have already booked trips or planned to set off over the weekend, before the rule change kicks in. “The government updates the health requirements for entry to Spain for the group between 12 and 17 years of age from non-EU countries... Starting at 00:00h. on Monday 14 may submit negative NAAT test (RT-PCR or similar) made 72h before,” tweeted the Ministry on Friday. The news comes slightly too late for half-term holidays, which start on Monday - many families will have already booked trips or planned to set off over the weekend, before the rule change kicks in.

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India Removes All Quarantine And Testing For Vaccinated Travelers

India has announced it will drop quarantine and testing on arrival for travelers. India’s Ministry of Health revised guidelines for international passengers entering India from February 14. India reopened for tourism in 2021; however, the Omicron variant led to India placing a mandatory 7-day quarantine and testing on arrival for all international travelers. Subsequently, very few tourists have entered India since March 2020. India’s New Entry Requirements Traveling to India from February 14 will be far easier. The Indian government has dropped mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated tourists. Instead, they all ask tourists to monitor their health for symptoms for 14 days after entry. India has also scrapped the mandatory COVID-19 test on day 8. However, all travelers should submit a factual self-declaration form on the online Suvidha portal before departure; this must include travelers’ last 14 days of travel and which countries they’ve visited within that period. Travelers from specific countries have two options before departure: Upload a negative RT-PCR test report conducting a maximum of 72 hours before departure Upload proof of vaccination from COVID-19 Travelers from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada can use either of those two options alongside 78 other nations. The Indian government will randomly test 2% of all passengers on arrival. The airline will notify all travelers who require testing on arrival during the flight. Unvaccinated travelers must: Submit a factual self-declaration form on the online Suvidha portal before departure Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report a maximum of 72 hours before departure Amit Kishore, a travel industry veteran and founder of 2hub stated: “The removal of mandatory 7-day quarantine for arrivals is a big reprieve for the travel industry which, for two years, has been receiving one brutal blow after another during Covid,” “It has been a particularly anguishing journey for the industry and it now waits for the resumption of regular international flights. This is perhaps the single most important thing required for the resumption of travel,” “The announcement of regular international flights resuming should be made at the earliest as airlines also take time to deploy aircraft on routes that open up and people need time to book. That will go a long way in kick-starting the industry and improving overall business,” Kishore added. The COVID-19 Situation In India COVID-19 cases are rapidly decreasing in India. The current 7-day case average is 83,346. That’s a sharp decrease from 309,011 only 6 weeks ago. India has currently fully vaccinated 54.2% of its entire population. The Current Internal Restrictions In India As Omicron cases continue to decrease, Indian states are relaxing restrictions on night and weekend curfews and reopening educational facilities. However, some states may still require COVID-19 tests to enter. Travelers may experience random testing at restaurants, shopping malls, and airports. The wearing of face masks is mandatory in all public places, regardless of vaccination status. India has also limited large gatherings, and the local authorities may penalize tourists for breaking the restrictions. All trains and metro services are running again. All essential services—such as ATMs, groceries, and pharmacies—are open again without restrictions. Before traveling around India, because of the vastly differing restrictions between states, travelers should check the latest restrictions in those states. Final Thoughts India’s drop in travel restrictions continues the trend of Asian destinations reopening in early 2022. After two years of closure, various Asian nations—such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines, and Singapore—are reopening their borders for travelers (albeit with certain restrictions.) This is great news for the travel industry, even if these nations are still behind Europe in terms of fully relaxing travel rules.

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Sri Lanka resumes visa on arrival facility for international tourists

Travelling to Sri Lanka is all set to become hassle free for international travellers. As per the latest reports, the island nation has announced resumption of visa on arrival facility for international travellers entering the country. Reports have it that the on-arrival Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facility will now be available for Indian tourists, as well as those visiting from other countries. However, as of now, the said facility will not be available for passport holders of some countries, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Myanmar, Cameron, North Korea, and Nepal. Referring to this, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) issued a notification stating that the on-arrival ETA at the port of entry to Sri Lanka will be put into effect immediately for tourists who are unable to obtain ETA by online mode due to time constraints while planning their travel to Sri Lanka within a very short period. CAASL Chairman Upul Dharmadasa in the notification advised arriving tourists to get the online ETA wherever possible prior to their arrival in Sri Lanka. And if reports are to go by, India has emerged as a major tourist source market for the island nation post-pandemic, and has received record numbers of Indian visitors since its reopening. Reportedly, attractive offers on flight tickets and quarantine-free stay have lured tourists from India to visit the island nation for vacations and leisure travel. As reported earlier, Sri Lanka had also made it clear that all tourists on arrival must hold a valid travel insurance policy, while the COVID-19 insurance coverage can be purchased online from www.portal.pionline.lk/covid insurance with coverage of a minimum of USD 50000 including cover for COVID-19 treatment. While the insurance coverage is not required to board an aircraft, upon landing in Sri Lanka, travellers will be required to purchase it prior to leaving the respective airports in Sri Lanka.

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No more tests for fully vaccinated arrivals in UK

From 4 am on Friday, the Boris Johnson government lifted all testing requirements for fully vaccinated international arrivals, spreading cheer in travel and tourism sectors ahead of half-term holidays, when a large number of Britons briefly travel abroad. The major changes to the UK’s Covid-19 travel rules that came into force will make international journeys cheaper and easier for passengers, officials here said, adding that the relaxation is thanks to the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout. Eligible fully vaccinated travellers are, therefore, only required to fill out a simplified passenger locator form, confirming their vaccination status, travel history and contact details. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK has eased international travel measures for Covid-19 and now has one of the most free-flowing borders in the world – sending a clear message that we are open for business. As our travel sector rapidly recovers, and we accelerate towards a future where we want travel to remain open for good, these rule changes coming ahead of half term are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector”. Health Secretary Sajid Javid added: “As we learn to live with Covid-19, we are taking a balanced approach to opening up international travel and removing all tests for people who have played their part and have been vaccinated. Thanks to the millions of people who have come forward for their Covid-19 jabs, we are one of the most boosted countries in Europe and are able to take these steps”. Also, from Friday, arrivals who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test in the 2 days before they depart for the UK and a PCR test on or before the end of day 2 after they arrive in the UK, as well as completing the passenger locator form. These passengers will not need to self-isolate on arrival and will only need to do so if they test positive. Leading figures in the travel and tourism sectors welcomed the relaxation.

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Hawaii drops its booster shot mandate for fully vaccinated tourists

In a recent travel update, Hawaii has removed its requirement of vaccinated travellers to have a booster shot to visit as a part of its Safe Travels program. The announcement was made by the state's governor Ige on Tuesday. The official statement released by Ige stated, "In making this decision, we considered declining COVID-19 case counts in Hawai'i, the continental U.S. and Europe. Hospitalizations have also dropped. In addition, we looked at Hawaiʻi's robust vaccination rates and the continued push by businesses and organizations to get their employees vaccinated and boosted for the safety of their families and the community". Just a few weeks back, the governor had said that he would change the definition of "fully vaccinated" to include a booster shot and introduced the Safe Travels program in October 2020. The program allows fully vaccinated domestic travellers to skip quarantine by showing proof of a negative test before. The island of Maui has also dropped that requirement and reversed course. To enter any restaurant or pub in Maui and Honolulu, travellers will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Hawaii’s Department of Health is working on criteria and conditions to allow the state to end Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program eventually. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said that Hawaii is hoping to end the program by the spring. He further said that they have learned one thing about the Coronavirus that it does sometimes throw one a curveball. The Safe Travels program was to end after Hawaii had achieved a 70 percent vaccination rate but then the Delta variant happened and the plan was dropped.

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