India on Friday opened international travel to and from the USA, the UK, Germany and France.
The Union Home Ministry said that Indians can also go to these countries and foreigners including OCIs with valid visa can now travel to these nations and come to India. India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has entered into an “air bubble agreement” with the USA, the UK, Germany and France. The Ministry said that soon more countries will be in this bilateral agreement of air travel known as ‘air bubble agreement’ in the wake of Covid-19 situation.
In the order, Union Home Ministry said that allowing travel will be subject to health checks and only applicable to those who are not having Covid-19 and other norms stipulated by the Civil Aviation Ministry. The MHA also said that the travelers must have valid visa. “Ministry of Home Affairs has permitted OCI cardholders to enter India who belong to countries with which “air bubble” arrangements have been finalised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Other foreigners from these countries have also been allowed to avail Indian visa facility for business, medical & employment purposes. Indian citizens have also been allowed to travel to such countries on any type of visa,” said MHA in a statement.
The Civil Aviation Ministry, for its part, said that Delhi Airport has developed new features in their portal for international travelers for “contact-less declarations”. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced that it has developed a first-of-its-kisnd portal where India-bound international arriving flyers can fill the mandatory self-declaration form and also apply online for exemption from mandatory institution quarantine process.