International passengers arriving in India no longer need to fill in Covid vaccine self-declaration form: Centre

A notice from the Civil Aviation ministry this evening read, "In the light of sustained declining COVID-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage both globally as well as in India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised 'Guidelines for International Arrivals".

Under the revised guidelines of the health ministry, the submission of self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal stands discontinued, the aviation ministry said.

It, however, added a statutory warning saying: "The rule could be reviewed if needed in view of the Covid situation."

The form on the aviation ministry's Air Suvidha portal was mandatory for incoming international passengers.

In it, passengers had to declare their vaccination status, including the number of doses received and their dates.

The ministry, however, said it was preferred that the passengers be fully vaccinated.

It also said that all precautionary measures for Covid -- including the use of masks and social distancing at airports -- be preferably continued.

Last week, the aviation ministry said the use of masks was no longer compulsory during air travel, but passengers should use them to prevent another surge of coronavirus.