[Turbanator]

With flights to Canada still not happening, has anyone or known actually travelled using 3rd Country RTPCR test option? I don't see the option of RTPCR tests at Doha even though Air Canada will happily book the ticket via that route.

I am not sure if Canada will accept the Delhi Airport RTPCR test as it's supposedly Ok for Direct flights but not for 3rd countries. What a lame excuse

[vinu_h]

Folks, the guidelines aren't very clear. Requesting inputs from those who have been through this.

I will be traveling to a 3rd country via Dubai in 10 days. My tickets are with Fly Dubai, who's site clearly says transit passengers need to follow destination country rules in addition to a negative PCR test. UAE govt site says the same, but, Emirates says in addition, a rapid PCR test is required to be done 6 prior to departure at the departure airport.

Anybody know the actual ground reality ?

[DRIVE_ADDICT]

For Dubai, Rapid antigen test is mandatory, this test will be done inside Airport itself will cost you b/w 1.5k to 3k depending on the Airport. You also need to carry a valid (<48 hour) RT-PCR negative report. This is what i heard from a friend who flew out to Dubai last week.

[vinu_h]

Originally Posted by DRIVE_ADDICT

This is what i heard from a friend who flew out to Dubai last week.

Can you please find out if his destination was Dubai or was it a transit point ? That'll be the decider.

[Amrik Singh]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

With flights to Canada still not happening, has anyone or known actually travelled using 3rd Country RTPCR test option? I don't see the option of RTPCR tests at Doha even though Air Canada will happily book the ticket via that route.

I am not sure if Canada will accept the Delhi Airport RTPCR test as it's supposedly Ok for Direct flights but not for 3rd countries. What a lame excuse

I am currently in Mexico enjoying the so called Quarantine as vacation of 15 days before flying to USA.
In my Air France flight, there were more than 20 passengers who were to make One day break at Mexico, get Covid Test Negative Report and fly to Canada.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by Amrik Singh

In my Air France flight, there were more than 20 passengers who were to make One day break at Mexico, get Covid Test Negative Report and fly to Canada.

Thanks, I forgot to update, Air Canada did start direct flights to Toronto & Vancouver from 27th. Air India is operating on Delhi- Toronto segment too. One must get a Covid negative test report from Delhi Airport where one can go about 12-15 hours before ideally. Report is delivered in the mailbox in around 6 hours. This test costs less than Rs 1,000 but if someone is in hurry, reports are possible in 1-2 hours at an additional charge of Rs 4000 or so. There was an exceptionally large queue for test in the area as all Gulf carriers require this but thankfully, for Canada, there are separate booths.

I flew the next day and returned yesterday. On return, got my Covid test in Canada which costs 150 CAD and results were delivered in around 12 hours though they say 24-48 hours.

No one looked at the test report or the suvidha form or the one airline gave to fill at Delhi airport. Perhaps, they are cautious with few countries, not a good thing. Airline checked all documents though at origin.

[DRIVE_ADDICT]

Originally Posted by vinu_h

Can you please find out if his destination was Dubai or was it a transit point ? That'll be the decider.

Very sorry for late reply not sure this helps you now. His destination was Dubai.

[sairamboko]

Hi All! I have a trip to Dubai coming up in December. Flight prices are crazy and I had to book Air India flights for onward journey. I am taking the flight from BLR->HYD->DXB. The BLR-HYD is Alliance Air ATR 72 flight and HYD to DXB is an A320 flight. My question is , do i need to take the RT PCR test in BLR airport or Hyd Airport. If HYD airport, then I may have to reschedule my BLR TO HYD leg of the journey.

[itwasntme]

We just came back from a spur-of-the-moment trip to Sri Lanka, namely Galle, Bentota & Colombo.
A few notes in no particular order:

>>The nodal website : https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/

>>ETA is online and automated within business hours. Else takes overnight at the most.

>>Hotels booked through booking.com. Rates are amazingly cheap and INR: LKR is at 2.70 which helps a lot of course. Credit cards generally convert at 2.50-2.60 though.

>>Dual vaccination is preferred + RT-PCR mandatory. As a rule, we are not going anywhere outside India without full vaccination + authenticated by your COWIN certificate. Additionally, your Indian RT-PCR (within 72 hours of embarkation) must have the QR code on it.

>> Do note the need for a return RT-PCR and mandatory upload onto the Air Suvidha portal. Keep in mind that SL labs generally requires 24 hours for a RT-PCR report. It can be done earlier but costs 7.5K LKR each. Results in 12 hours max in the latter case.

>>Download the SL Health app beforehand and it may help you to beat the queue at CMB: https://airport.lk/health_declaration/index

>>SL is desperate for tourist income especially the tourist-dependent places like Galle. Be warned that Google is quote inaccurate currently and shows many restaurants as open, when in fact they are shut temporarily or permanently.

>> As an example, we walked into Ministry of Crab without a booking. Usually unthinkable in pre-COVID times.

>>Most of the expat-run and expat-frequented places are closed. Call them all before visiting, don't trust Google. Many places are not accepting cards so check with them first. Carry cash or use your IN debit cards to take cash from SL ATMs. General flat charge was 400 LKR if I recollect correctly.

>>Hotels are particularly affected. CALL them and ask about routine services like an operating restaurant, room service and general basic matters. We did not and were slightly inconvenienced.

>>Uber & PickMe are both excellent apps and we used both seamlessly.

>>Airtel roaming worked seamlessly for us.

>>CMB office rush is back in full swing so budget for that.

>>It's hot for us at least from BLR!

>>Inter-province buses and trains have JUST started I believe. Suggest not to rely on them and do your own transport.

[Amrik Singh]

Having taken 2nd Shot of Covishield in May 2021, I am currently visiting USA.
Adults who are 65+ are being offered booster dose free of cost. I filled up opting for Pfizer dose at Safeway. They checked my id (Passport), previous vaccine certificate (Covishield with smiling Modi picture) and noted Covishield on their proforma and done.
Even others who are at risk e.g. frequent travellers, healthcare workers etc. are being offered booster dose.

[vinu_h]

Originally Posted by vinu_h

Anybody know the actual ground reality ?

Returned few days ago. RT PCR + Vaccine certificate adequate for UAE transit from India, entry into Turkey from the UAE, entry into the UAE from Turkey and entry into India from the UAE.

Procedures and forms are streamlined. Very professional and easy to follow.

[BoneCollector]

The guidelines issues by Ministry of Health, GoI today.

[ninjatalli]

Is there any fresh decree/guidelines/decision by the government on (banning) international flights? Our GoFirst flight for next week has been canceled due to 'operational issues'. On their website, I see no options/flights till 31st Dec.

[mazda4life]

Team,
I need some urgent information- my son is traveling to US on 14th Dec from Bangalore, what is clear is that he has take a RT-PCR test within 24hrs of the flight. I checked the BIAL website and it has a requirement for 'Passengers must submit self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before scheduled travel, including last 14 days travel details' --- is this needed currently or is the website still showing some old requirement?.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by mazda4life

Team,
I need some urgent information- my son is traveling to US on 14th Dec from Bangalore, what is clear is that he has take a RT-PCR test within 24hrs of the flight. I checked the BIAL website and it has a requirement for 'Passengers must submit self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before scheduled travel, including last 14 days travel details' --- is this needed currently or is the website still showing some old requirement?.

Hi As far as I am aware there is nothing of this sort for outbound passengers. Suvidha is only for passengers arriving into India. Not sure where it is mentioned about departing passengers.