NEW PORTAL FROM AUGUST 8 Residents confused about India’s online procedures for quarantine

Indian expats in the UAE wishing to fly home are a confused lot after India on Sunday announced another layer of online procedures for all international passengers arriving in the country from August 8, particularly to deal with quarantine procedures.

Previously, returning Indians had to only register their details with the Indian missions.

As per the latest guidelines, all travellers need to submit a self-declaration form on the online portal at least 72 hours before travel. They also have to give an undertaking that they will undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days (seven days’ paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by seven days at home).

Those seeking exemption by submitting a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test report also need to upload the report on the portal.

Expats flying in the first couple of days after the new rules come into effect are concerned since they need to upload the documents three or four days before the date of travel.

Registration concerns

Sikander Rais, whose pregnant wife is travelling from Dubai to Delhi on a 3.55am flight on Saturday, sought a clarification on where she has to register for exemption from institutional quarantine as nothing has appeared on the website of the Delhi Airport.

Mohammad Irshad Jat, tweeted asking if he still needed to register on the portal since he had already registered with the Indian embassy, but does not know the exact date of travel.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai said they were also awaiting more clarity for passengers flying on August 8. “Authorities are well aware of the situation and soon there will be better clarity,” said Neeraj Agrawal, consul for press, information and culture.

Regarding the need for Indian expats to register on the database of the Indian missions, he said: “It is advisable that Indians returning from the UAE continue to register with our database because we still need the numbers to help plan the flights.”