(Newswire.net — September 7, 2020) — The COVID-19 pandemic had the entire world retreating into their homes under extended lockdowns. All major countries have imposed travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.This has made the pandemic worse for people living, visiting or working abroad as they are stuck outside of their country with the viral disease affecting millions by the minute !
However, the Indian Government under the Vande Bharat Mission, has helped evacuate and get home lakhs of its citizens,including students, businessmen, workers etc. However, traveling in a pandemic requires strict travel guidelines to be set in place for safety of passengers and the COVID-19 travel guidelines have changed the face of travel as we know it.
With both international and domestic travel resuming in India, it is imperative to have travel insurance, especially if your travel is essential and inevitable. Travel insurance ensures that concerns such as immediate medical expenses, loss of luggage, accidents leading to dismemberment or death and even your home and valuables are protected while you travel.
The benefits of comprehensive travel insurance can take care of various discrepancies which may occur during your travel such as :
- Medical expenses
- Loss of Passport
- Personal Accident
- Loss of Check-in Baggage
- Theft/Loss of Personal Belongings
- Trip Cancellation and Curtailment
While International Travel is still restricted till 31st August 2020, domestic travel bans have been lifted recently with revised and strict travel guidelines in place. Here’s a look at the fine points :
The first thing to do is to assess your need for travel. Unless your travel is absolutely essential, avoid it. Leisure travel and vacations are a strict NO and even essential travel requires you to observe rules such as :
Domestic Travel Guidelines as applicable :
- Only 250 special trains are running in India on specific routes. Regular train services to remain suspended till further notice. These include 12 pairs running on Rajdhani routes and other 100 pairs as sanctioned by the government.
- Metro train travel in all metro cities is prohibited. Mumbai Local Trains are running in a restricted manner, as per state government requirements.
- Domestic flights travel has resumed and airports and airplanes must conduct routine, hourly sanitization and disinfection.
- All domestic passengers must mandatorily download the Aarogya Setu App before they travel.
- All passengers will undergo compulsory thermal screening at all points of entry and departure at an airport/station. Asymptomatic travelers will be allowed to travel.
- All passengers must mandatorily wear face-masks and face covers throughout the period of their journey.
- All passengers must follow respiratory and general hygiene. Social-distancing is to be observed at all times.
- Hand sanitizers and Hand wash is to be made available at airports.
- After thermal screening at the exit point, passengers must quarantine/self-monitor for 14 days.
- All airports/stations must make regular precautionary COVID-19 announcements, provide a list of do’s and don’ts to passengers and follow disinfection, sanitization, social distancing and thermal screening at points of arrival and exit.
- Anyone found symptomatic or exhibiting mild symptoms will be taken to a nearby, COVID-19 health facility immediately.
- Individuals with mild symptoms after travel are to observe self-isolation/quarantine for 14 days.
Revised International Travel Guidelines as applicable from 8th August 2020 :
- Before Commencing Travel :
- All travelers must submit a self-declaration form at least 72 hours before travel commences, on the official portal of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
- All travelers must submit a compulsory undertaking stating that they will undergo 14 days of quarantine (7 days at institutional facility + 7 days of home isolation at own expense.) after they travel.
- Children below 10 years can travel provided the reason for travel is compelling such as family demise, critical illness etc. 14 days of quarantine is mandatory for children too.
- Travelers can seek exemption from institutional quarantine by undergoing a COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival. This test should ideally be taken within 96 hours of arrival and the test report along with a signed declaration confirming the report’s authenticity, is to be uploaded on the portal. This test can be taken and the report can be submitted upon arrival in India as well.
- Before Boarding :
- All passengers must have the Aarogya Setu app on their phones.
- All passengers will undergo thermal screening and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the flight.
- Buy travel insurance to ensure safety of valuables and luggage and protect against medical expenses in case of sickness.
- A list of do’s and don’ts will be provided to passengers along with their ticket and all social distancing and hygiene standards are to be strictly followed.
- During Travel :
- Social distancing, as far as possible,is to be maintained on flights.
- Serving of food or refreshments is restricted. In case of connecting flights, refreshments will be made available at transit areas.
- Passengers can bring dry food but it is advisable to restrict from eating inside the aircraft, unless necessary.
- Restrict use of a common bathroom at the time of travel.
- Upon Arrival :
- Social Distancing to be maintained during deboarding.
- Thermal screening to be carried out at exit points and passengers exhibiting mild or elevated symptoms will be shifted to nearby COVID-19 health facility.
- Travelers who have got an exemption from institutional isolation, as confirmed before travel commences, will show the document to relevant state counters before being permitted home isolation for 14 days.
- Other travelers will be directed to institutional quarantine for a minimum of 7 days, after which they will be tested. If in India, they will be tested as per the ICMR protocols and if they test positive, will be clinically assessed.
- If the traveler exhibits a very mild/asymptomatic/pre-suggestive case, they will be permitted home confinement or segregation in a COVID-care centre.
- If the traveler exhibits serious or even moderate symptoms, they will be committed to a registered COVID health facility.
- If the traveler tests negative, they will be advised to self-isolate and maintain safe distance for at least 7 days immediately post travel.
- In case symptoms appear during home quarantine, people are advised to get tested , along with their family, as soon as possible.
For more information related to travel advisories, documents, visas and specific concerns visit the links below :
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Centre for Disease Control
As per the IRDAI guideline IRDAI/HLT/REG/CIR/054/03/2020, your travel insurance will cover listed in your policy schedule including hospitalization expenses for any medical emergency arising while on your travel, including those which arise due to Coronavirus leading to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease).
If you have travel plans , especially those including international travel to cities such as Dubai where having travel insurance is mandatory, make sure you buy a travel insurance Dubai plan for maximum security.
A travel insurance Dubai plan can help in case of emergency medical needs, medical evacuation, cashless treatments, daily hospital cash, personal liability, personal accident, loss of passport or an emergency financial requirement.
Uncertainty has become our ‘new normal’ and having reliable travel insurance can help you travel worry free.