COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: [02/10/2023]

*** Effective February 13, 2023, India will no longer require all incoming airline passengers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand to undergo mandatory RTPCR tests before their departure for India.

Two percent of all international passengers are selected for random RTPCR testing upon their arrival to India.

The CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Are there COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. Citizens? No.
Travel restrictions can change suddenly and with little notice. Please consult the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website regarding their Guidelines for International Arrivals for the latest information. The U.S. embassy strongly urges any U.S. citizen considering travel to India to carefully review the information available from the Government of India. The U.S. Embassy’s ability to intervene on behalf of travelers denied entry into India is extremely limited, and travelers denied entry at Indian ports of entry will likely be immediately reboarded and returned on flights back to their last port of departure.
Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No.
Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?
- All travelers will undergo thermal screening upon arrival. Symptomatic travelers will be isolated and re-tested.
Two percent (2%) of all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will be selected for testing on arrival. Travelers selected for testing on arrival will be permitted to depart the airport following collection of the test sample and do not have to wait for results. All travelers are required to self-monitor for 14 days after arrival.

Quarantine Information

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes. Any traveler who tests positive upon arrival or while in the country will be required to isolate for eight (8) days.
All other travelers will be required to self-monitor their health post arrival. Some states require testing on arrival and/or quarantine for all individuals arriving from outside their borders.

COVID-19 Testing

Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in India? Yes. Tests are available throughout India in both private and government facilities.
Are test results reliably available within one day of travel? Yes. Labs in major cities within India are generally able to provide results within one day. Travelers need to schedule tests with sufficient advance notice and should be aware that testing is generally not possible on Sundays as most labs are closed.
U.S. citizens should contact their doctor in India to request assistance scheduling a COVID-19 test prior to travel. Citizens who do not have a doctor can locate a testing facility near them by going to the Indian Council for Medical Research website or by calling the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s tollfree COVID-19 helpline number by dialing 1075. Travelers can expect to receive results via phone or email.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

Are vaccines available in India for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes. All individuals age 15 years and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Eligible individuals seeking the vaccine must register on the Co-Win portal (www.cowin.gov.in/home) and submit identification. Acceptable forms of ID include Aadhaar card, driving license, voter ID, PAN card, passport, job card, or pension document. Individuals will receive an SMS message with details on the date, venue, and time of vaccination.
Which vaccines are available in India? Five vaccines approved by the Government of India are currently being administered in India – Covishield (AstraZeneca), Covaxin, Corbevax, Covovax (Novovax), and Sputnik V.
Covishield, Covaxin, and Covovax have received WHO Emergency Use Listing and are considered eligible vaccines for entry into the United States.
Based on reports of vaccine shortages in some parts of the country, and a recommended interval of 12-16 weeks between doses of Covishield (the most commonly available vaccine) and Covaxin, the time to get fully vaccinated in India could be delayed.
Government of India announcements regarding vaccination are available at mygov.in/covid-19/ and at mohfw.gov.in.
Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination is available on the CDC website
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.

Local Resources:

Below are sources of local COVID-19 information in English. U.S. citizens should closely monitor trusted local news sources and local authorities’ communications for updates and information. This list is not exhaustive:

The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has a 24/7 hotline at +91-11-2397-8046 with English-speaking operators or can be reached at ncov2019@gmail.com. The Indian Medical Association also has a 24/7 hotline for individuals to speak with a doctor at +91 99996-72238 or +91 99996-72239.

Other links:
COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
CDC page on COVID-19
India Country Information

Movement Restrictions

Is a curfew in place? No, however localities can impose new curfews without warning.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes. Some states require either proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a current negative test result and/or testing on arrival if entering from other Indian states. Additional quarantine may be required dependent on state of origin.

Fines for Non-Compliance

There are currently no fines in any of the cities or states of India, but this is subject to change without notice. Please check the local regulations in your state or city of travel.

By U.S. Mission India | 6 July, 2022 | Topics: Alert