The Government of India has issued standard operating procedures (SOP) for inbound and outbound travel that need to be followed by passengers on Vande Bharat Mission and air transport bubble flights.
As per the guidelines, the category of people eligible to travel will be permitted by the home ministry from time to time.
Civil Aviation Ministry will display the category of travellers eligible to fly out of India on its website. These individuals need to apply to the aviation ministry or their designated agency along with necessary details.
Travel shall be on non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the government.
With regards to inbound flights, the category of people eligible to travel would be permitted by the union home ministry. “Passengers on Vande Bharat flights must register themselves with the Indian Missions abroad. However, those travelling on flights under the air bubble arrangement may not require to register. They will travel by non-scheduled commercial flights/ships allowed by the government,” the guidelines stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs will prepare a database of all Vande Bharat Mission travellers and share it with the respective state and union territories (UT). For air bubble flights, airlines need to submit details of all passengers and share it with the concerned Indian missions abroad with a copy to state/UT.
The cost of travel would be borne by the passengers in both, inbound and outbound travel scenario.
The external affairs ministry and civil aviation ministry will display the schedule of the incoming flights/ships at least two days in advance, online. All travellers need to give an undertaking that they are making the journey at their own risk.
The guidelines further stated, “Passengers arriving through land borders to undergo the same protocol. Guidelines on protocols and quarantine as issued by the health ministry will be observed.”
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