TRAVEL EXPERIENCE FROM USA TO DELHI DURING COVID-19
By SS Sandhu — Former Chief Architect, Chandigarh Administration.
Experience-based on my Vande Bharat Repatriation Flight from Washington DC to Delhi and further to Chandigarh by road.
(Before undertaking my flight many persons helped me with their experiences in a similar Air India Repatriation flights and made my trip hassle-free. Thanks to all of them. I have recorded my experience below which may be of some help to persons with similar requirements of travel)
Procedure to be followed:-
Step 1: Booking of air ticket online
Registration as a passenger with the Indian Embassy / Consulate in your area on the link https://repat.videshapps.gov.in/regis
Step 2: On successful registration as a passenger, Air India booking website will automatically appear.
Purchase Air ticket online
Step 3: Further action to be taken as per the following guidelines:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI has issued the following guidelines dated 2.8.2020 for International arrivals:
All travellers should submit self-declaration form on the online portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) at least 72 hours before the scheduled travel they should also give an undertaking on the portal that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days i.e. 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health. Only for compelling reasons/ cases of human distress such as pregnancy, death in the family, serious illness and parent(s) with children of the age of 10 years or below, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days.
If they wish to seek such exemption under para (iii) above, they shall apply to the online portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) at least 72 hours before boarding. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the online portal will be final. Travellers may also seek exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report on arrival. This test should have been conducted within 96 hrs prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be uploaded on the portal for consideration. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution if found otherwise. The test report could also be produced upon arrival at the point of entry airport in India.
(Further, the Chandigarh passengers who have not registered themselves on the above said portal and wants to seek exemption as per para №3 of the above-said guidelines send their request on psspst@chd.nic.in. Further, their case shall be considered by the competent authority regarding their exemption.)
Step 4: Guidelines for passengers with Chandigarh as their destination :
Persons who are arriving from abroad are required to share their particulars in advance on Chandigarh Administration Portal http://chandigarh.gov.in/info-foreign.htm and with the office of the Nodal Officer by email at psspst@chd.nic.in or by phone at 0172–2740007 & 2749797 so that necessary arrangements for bringing the passengers to Chandigarh from airports and their institutional quarantine could be made in a timely manner. Further, family members of foreign returned persons are not allowed to receive them at the airport. Passengers returning from abroad are being brought to Chandigarh by road in authorized transport on payment basis. It is also advised to such persons who are not registered themselves on the above-said portal are not authorized to book a domestic flight or commercial taxi to reach Chandigarh on arrival in India.
It includes booking of 7 days Quarantine Hotel / Institution of your choice out of the accommodation listed by the Administration and booking of the type of taxi for your travel need from Delhi to Chandigarh. Institutional Quarantine is followed by Home Quarantine for seven days. And to confirm your transport choice (sharing or individual basis as per availability) that will be provided by Chandigarh Administration. You will be intimated regarding transport one day prior to arrival telephonically or by email from the O/o Senior Superintendent of Police, Security & Traffic, Chandigarh-cum-Nodal Officer, for Chandigarh Residents Returning from Abroad.
Ph. №0172–2740007, Email- psspst@chd.nic.in
I must add that amongst all the Government agencies involved Protocol Officer of Chandigarh Administration and his staff had been most effective and helpful at a personal level, in providing guidance and help in the process. Most of the information given above is their contribution.
Step 5: Web or Mobile Telephone Check-in for flight (within 48 hours but not less than two hours from the departure time of flight. Print confirmation slip of the online check-in.
Step 6: On reaching the Airport:-
Step 6.1. : Report at the special counter of the Indian Embassy to fill a form and checking of body temperature and obtain clearance.
Step. 6.2: Check-in with the “Online confirmation of check-in” copy at the Air India counter for Boarding Pass. Thereafter it is normal procedure till boarding except for social distancing. Of course, you must avoid touching your hands on any surface in the airport like handrails of Escalators, Shuttle trains and try to open doors with your foot or elbow, wherever automatic doors are not available.
Step 7: Inside the Flight:
Three packets containing food items water bottles face mask, face shield, sanitizer are available on each seat. A passenger in middle seats of Economy class Only is provided with PPE kits to wear during flight. Extra water is available at service counters if you need. Passengers are advised to remain on their seats and no queue in the service area or outside bathrooms.
Practically no communication with the staff and passengers after the plane takes off from the airport. No hot or cold drinks of any kind.
No entertainment facilities like TV etc. No blankets are provided.
Food items are a mix of Bakery Items different types of Nuts Chips Fruit Salad Cookies and
Energy Bars type etc. For a change quite sufficient and OK, but passengers do bring some food items of their own choices. All depends on your personal choices and requirements.
The bathroom is equipped with sanitizer besides normal things. It is advisable to bring your own Antibacterial Hand Wipes for cleaning of your seat and other surfaces you are likely to touch in the plane, Disposable Face Masks of your size,
Disposable latex-free /powder-free /protein-free Exam Gloves of your size and Sanitizer (one small bottle of Sanitizer in your handbag is now allowed to be carried by USA Airport Security)
Step 8: Before landing at Airport:
Self Declaration Form is provided in duplicate. Do fill it and keep it handy along with your Passport and Boarding Pass to get through smoothly at the Airport on arrival.
Step 9: After landing in Delhi
After checking of your documents passengers travelling by road (having no further link of connecting flights) are grouped State-wise (State of their destination) Chandigarh Residents are clubbed with Punjab group (but with a separate counter in the work area). Group is led by a CIFS Jawan. They are well trained and polite in leading you for getting you immigration, baggage collection etc. and finally taking you to the counter of your state of Domicile. It is all hassle-free.
Once there, his job is complete. All formalities relating to your transport for further travel etc are completed on this counter. Your Passport is given to the driver of your Cab who hands it to over to the Front Desk of the Institution of your Quarantine in your home town.
The only problem at the Delhi Airport is baggage trollies. One type of trolley is having defective wheels (I was told that per added recently) very hard to operate. Choose the better one.
