Delhi airport launches portal for travellers to apply for quarantine exemption

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7

The Delhi International Airport has launched a portal to facilitate inbound passengers to file their mandatory self-declaration form and eligible passengers to apply for exemption from compulsory institutional quarantine for coronavirus.

In an official release, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said the portal would “make passengers’ journey contactless” as they won’t have to fill physical copies of a self-declaration form and a quarantine exemption form at the time of arrival in India.

As per the government guidelines, from this Saturday onwards, five categories of passengers can get exemption from the mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine - pregnant women, those who have suffered death in the family, those suffering from a serious illness, parents accompanying children below 10, those who have Covid-negative certificate from a test done 96 hours prior to the journey.

Passengers who are allowed the exemption would have to undergo 14-day home quarantine. All other international passengers arriving in India have to follow the usual process of undergoing mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine, at their own cost, followed by seven days of home quarantine.

“Passengers seeking exemption under the five specific categories will need to fill the e-form available on the website of Delhi airport.

They will have to submit it along with supporting documents, including a copy of their passports, at least 72 hours before boarding their flights,” the GIAL said, adding that there would be no time limit for those filling the self-declaration form. As per the rules, every passenger has to submit a self-declaration form that they have not tested positive for Covid during the three weeks prior to the flight. A copy of approval or rejection of exemption requests on specific grounds will be emailed to the passengers, it said. “Those who would be given exemption from mandatory institutional quarantine can show the same at the transfer area after landing at their respective airports, and walk out hassle-free,” the DIAL said.