Since March 2020, India has been struck by a seemingly unending wave of COVID-19. As a response to this threat, the Indian government, just like various governments around the world, announced a lockdown that aimed to stop the spread of the virus. However, as time passes, governments around the world are looking for ways to reopen so that their economy can start getting back on track. For a lot of countries, tourism has been a big part of their economy. Since tourism was one of the first things shut down globally during the onset of COVID-19, many countries are trying to open themselves for international tourists along with making sure their citizens can visit other countries as well. One of these countries is India as well.
India’s tourism sector saw a considerable amount of activity in the initial part of 2021. However, this activity was halted by the second wave of the pandemic in the country. As response to the crisis, various state governments and central government placed a long list of travel restrictions. Currently, the number of daily COVID cases is nearing a stable condition. Hence, these travel restrictions are being updated to let more tourism activity happen. Travel insurance is an essential thing you should carry with you while traveling in this pandemic situation. Also, using travel insurance app you can get benefits of easy claim intimation, easy renewal policy. Here is an overview of the current travel restrictions in India:
Inter-state travel
The situation with COVID infections is different across different parts of India. Hence, a lot of states are taking the decision of travel restrictions to and from their states independently. Hence, there are certain states that you cannot travel to without following a longlist of rules and regulations. On the other hand, there are states that are a bit more lenient with tourists coming into their regions. Here are a few states that are popular for travel in India and their COVID travel restrictions:
- Himachal Pradesh
Earlier during the year, Himachal Pradesh imposed strict lockdowns and other restrictions for entry into their state. This was due to the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases due to previously promoted tourism in the state along with a lot of other factors. However, the state currently relaxed these restrictions allowing tourist to enter through a negative RT-PCR test. Moreover, the state authorities allow shops to remain open from 9 am to 5 pm from June 14. Additionally, these shops will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Goa
The Goa government recently decided to extend the statewide curfew to manage the spread of COVID-19. The state requires tourists to have a negative RT-PCR test to enter the state. Moreover, the report should be from a test taken 48 hours before your arrival into the state. Moreover, you will likely have to self-isolate for 14 days after entering the state. All shops are only allowed to open from 7 am to 3 pm.
International travel
Since the second wave of the pandemic started in India, a lot of countries have special attention to the situation. As a response, many countries banned Indian tourists from entering their borders until further notice. However, with the situation cooling down, many countries are allowing Indian to visit under some restrictions. These countries include:
- Turkey
Turkey is currently allowing tourists from India to visit. However, a tourist must adhere to a 14-day institutional quarantine before resuming his/her trip.
- Russia
Russia has been very open towards people traveling from India. A tourist can still apply for a visa with a validity of 30 days. This visa allows both single entry and double entry. The tourist must provide a negative RT-PCR test report for entry. Moreover, the test should have been taken at most 3 days before arrival into Russia. As an added layer of security, the tourist will have to undergo a test at the time of arrival as well.
- South Africa
South Africa has imposed minimal COVID travel restrictions on tourists from India. However, they have limited the ports of entry into the country. Hence, the flight options available are limited. Any tourist must provide a negative RT-PCR test from a test conducted no earlier than 72 hours of arrival.
