India has issued a set of guidelines for international arrivals, including passengers from Bangladesh, in a bid to ensure safe air travels amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As per the guidelines by its Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, international passengers have to submit a self-declaration form on the online portal, www.newdelhiairport.in, at least 72 hours before the scheduled travel, or physically after arrival at the respective health counters.
If a person gets there without an RT-PCR Covid-19 negative certificate and does not opt for a test at the Indian airport (if the facility is available), he or she will have to undergo seven days’ institutional quarantine and seven days’ home quarantine.
Asked about the matter, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Md Mokabbir Hossain confirmed that Bangladeshi passengers travelling to India have to abide by these guidelines.
At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.
While on board, passengers have to maintain hygiene rules such as wearing a mask and sanitizing hands.
Passengers have to deboard while maintaining physical distancing.
Travellers found to be symptomatic of Covid-19 during screening after deboarding shall be isolated and taken to a medical facility immediately.
Following the thermal screening, passengers who have RT-PCR Covid-19 negative certificates with them shall be exempt from quarantine. They will be allowed to leave and undertake self-monitoring for 14 days.
International passengers, including Bangladeshis, arriving by sea or land ports of India also have to undergo similar protocols. One noticeable difference is that they will have to submit the self-declaration form to the authorities concerned on arrival.
