New Health Self-Declaration Online Portal Launched for International Travellers to India Amid Ebola Outbreak Concerns
Passengers in queue at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. | Photo: Delhi Airport
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched a contactless Passenger Health Self-Declaration Portal aimed at strengthening public health surveillance at points of entry amid concerns over an ongoing Ebola outbreak.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced a mandatory self-declaration requirement for all passengers travelling to the country in late May, following global health alerts related to Ebola. National airline Maldivian had at the time informed passengers of the updated requirements, confirming that the self-declaration form would be available through its official website. Travellers were required to submit the completed form upon arrival in India at designated health and immigration counters.
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According to a press release by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday, the latest, upgraded initiative, titled AIR SUVIDHA 2.0, allows international passengers arriving in India to submit a mandatory online health self-declaration prior to immigration clearance. The declaration includes 21-day travel history, exposure history, and any relevant symptoms.
According to the ministry, the system enables real-time data sharing with airport health officers, the Bureau of Immigration of India, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), and Indian state surveillance officers, allowing for quicker identification and referral of at-risk travellers while eliminating the need for physical forms on arrival.
Passengers are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form up to 24 hours before arrival, preferably during web check-in, and present the downloaded form at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter.
Authorities have urged all international travellers to complete the declaration accurately and in advance in the interest of public health and passenger safety. The portal can be accessed via the country’s Civil Aviation website.
