India New COVID Test Requirements

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: Jan 2nd 2023

India to require COVID test for arrivals from China, four other Asian countries

People arriving in India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand will have to show a negative COVID-19 test.

Travellers from those countries would have to upload their test result on an India government website before their departure. Air Suvidha portal self-declaration has been made operational for passengers travelling in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan, with a provision to allow these international travellers arriving in India to upload negative RT-PCR test reports as well as to submit self-declaration form.

“This is being done in view of the evolving COVID-19 situation across the world, particularly in the aforesaid countries,” the health ministry said in a statement, adding that the test should be taken within 72 hours of travel to India. The new requirement for a COVID test would be in addition to the random tests on 2% of all international passengers arriving in India.

India joins the United States, Japan, Italy and Taiwan in imposing mandatory COVID tests for travellers from China, amid a COVID surge there after authorities relaxed strict “zero-COVID” rules.

Major Airports such as Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Bengaluru (BLR) are already implementing the 2% rule. The airlines (preferably from different countries) will identify the passengers to be tested, following which they will be allowed to leave the airport.

In case a sample is found positive, it will be sent for genomic testing at a designated lab. A copy of the report will also be shared with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the government as well as with APHOS.

Meanwhile, in the US, the Biden administration also confirmed that as of January 5th, 2023, all passengers from China will be required to have a negative COVID test result in order to enter the country. The requirement applies to these air passengers regardless of nationality and vaccination status. This will also apply to persons traveling from China via third country transit and to passengers connecting through the United States onward to further destinations.