Delhi Reopening: Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Delhi

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate. 

Updated 16 July 2021

As India continues to rise against the second wave of COVID-19, its capital Delhi remains one of the worst-hit places to date. While the rise in the number of cases during the second wave of the pandemic has been exponential in the sate, the current figures in the state have been gradually simmering down.

If you are looking to travel to Delhi, read along to know in details about traveling to Delhi, quarantine regulations, and reopening in Delhi.

Who can travel to Delhi?

Indian nationals and citizens looking to fly back home

The Vande Bharat Mission started on May 6th to help foreigners in India return home and help thousands of Indian nationals head back every single day. Over 95 lakhs of stranded people have been brought in or flown back to their country through international Vande Bharat flights.

Currently, the tenth phase of the mission is underway and is going to extend till 31 October.

Foreigners entering India

The following categories of foreigners will be allowed to enter Delhi:

• All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and PIO cardholders holding passports of any country.
• All foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose (including their dependents on the appropriate category of dependent visa) except those on Tourist Visa.
• All existing visas, except electronic visas (e-Visa), Tourist visa and Medical Visa, which remained suspended, shall stand restored with immediate effect.
• If the validity of such a visa has expired, the foreign national may obtain a fresh visa of appropriate category/sub-category from the Indian Mission/Post concerned.
• In the case of Medical Visa (including visa for Medical Attendants), foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment in emergencies may be granted Medical visa for appropriate period by the Indian Missions/Posts.

Entry guidelines

All passengers arriving at Delhi must download Aarogya Setu App. Thermal screening will be done for all passengers upon arrival.

Domestic Arrivals

In view of the surge in number of COVID-19 cases, random sample collection will be done for passengers arriving from states where there has been a spurt in number for COVID-19 cases. Passengers will be allowed to exit after sample collection.

Passengers who are found positive will be quarantined at home or CCC/CHC/Hospital for 10 days.

International Arrivals

The Union health ministry had issued a set of revised guidelines for international arrivals amid the spread of mutant variants of coronavirus in many countries.

1. All international travellers will have to submit a self-health declaration as well as a declaration to comply with the government’s rule of home quarantine/self-monitoring for 14 days, on the online Air Suvidha portalbefore the scheduled travel.
2. They will also have to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report of a test within 72 hours of the journey, and also give a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report.
3. Passengers may be exempt from the 2-week quarantine in case of death in the family. To seek such exemption apply through the online portal at least 72 hours before departure.
4. All passengers shall be required to present online SDF/RT-PCR exemption approval to the health authorities upon arrival.
5. At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after the thermal screening.
6. International travellers arriving through seaports/land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol, except that facility for online registration is not available for such passengers currently, as per the civil aviation ministry guidelines.
7. All the travellers arriving from/transiting through flights originating in the United Kingdom, Europe or the Middle East shall be mandatorily subjected to self-paid confirmatory molecular tests on arrival at the Indian airports concerned (port of entry).
8. All travellers from Europe and the Middle East shall give samples at the designated area and exit the airport. If the test report is negative, they will be advised to self-monitor their health for 14 days. If the test report is positive, they will undergo treatment as per standard health protocol.

To view country-specific travel guidelines, click here.

Exemption from institutional quarantine

Certain categories of international flyers can be granted exemption from mandatory institutional quarantine if their reasons are compelling enough. As of now, you can apply for the exemption here at newdelhiairport.in only on the grounds of the death of any family member. The application must be submitted at least 72 hours before boarding for consideration. Business travelers coming to Tamil Nadu for short stay (less than 72 hours) are exempted from home quarantine.

Note that children and infants also have to upload negative RT-PCR certificates on the portal, and those travelling with them are no longer exempted from the quarantine rule.

What’s open in Delhi now?

Since the announcement of Unlock 3.0, several places have opened and restarted operations in the national capital. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced relaxations in the national capital as COVID numbers in the capital drop to a two-month low.

• Restaurants will be allowed to open at 50% seating capacity in Delhi. This system will be followed for a week and in case the cases increase, stricter restrictions to be imposed.
• Private offices will run on 50% capacity from 9am to 5pm from Monday. All market complexes and malls will now be completely open from 10am to 8pm. However, they are mandated to follow social distancing norms and take Covid-19 appropriate precautions.
• Spas, gyms and yoga institutes public parks and gardens will also remain closed.
• In government offices, there will be 100% attendance for group A officers and 50% for the rest of them. All essential activities will continue in this phase of unlock.
• Delhi Metro and buses will run at 50% capacity. In autos, e-rickshaws, or taxis, not more than 2 passengers allowed to ensure social distancing.
• Religious places will be open but no visitors will be allowed.
• Weekly markets will also open but only one market per zone will be allowed.
• Weddings will not be allowed to take place in public places like banquet halls or hotels. They will be allowed only at court or homes with not more than 20 people in attendance.
• A maximum of 20 people are allowed to attend funerals.
• All educational institutions such as schools, colleges and other academic organisations will remain shut.

You can read more about Delhi unlock here.