Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the largest and oldest travel and tourism association in India has urged the Minister of Civil Aviation, Hardeep S. Puri and Minister of Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel to set up urgent protocols for travellers who are getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
In an appeal made by Association, President Jyoti Mayal, says: “We have urged the Government of India through Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Ministry of Tourism (MoT) to set guidelines for vaccinated travellers, issue verifiable certificates and set SOPs for the same. This shall enable vaccinated travellers to resume their activities to pre-Covid times and live towards a better future. Every person vaccinated in India must be granted a certificate and our Government should also tie-up with all countries verifying and accepting their COVID vaccine certificates.”
Adding to above, Association’s Vice President Jay Bhatia said: “We are proud that our Government has rolled made in India vaccines. To make travel and tourism as free and comfortable as possible, TAAI shall be working closely with the government on formulating and setting standards which shall be acceptable and verifiable globally. We have proposed immediate action so that vaccinated travellers desirous of travelleing domestic international or even for inbound to India shall be free from hassles.”
The association has suggested several points to consider for safe and comfortable travel.
Vaccinated Inbound Travellers: Travellers who have got the vaccination done are desirous of travel to India. Currently there is no clarity in terms of how their entry into India shall be permitted. There has to be a uniform policy that needs to be mandated by Centre towards how the verification and process for the same needs to be set. Draw plans and undertake SOPs for such travellers:
Proof and date of Covid-19 vaccination taken.
RT-PCR/Quarantine norms to be waived for such passengers who have got vaccinated.
Mandate health/travel insurance to be taken by all travellers coming to India.
Vaccinated Indian Travellers: From January 16th, 2021 Indians too shall get vaccinated in phases. For their travel within the country or overseas, travel norms, SOPs and certificates/verifiable confirmation of vaccination taken needs to be issued to every citizen.
Proof and date of Covid19 vaccination taken. Either to be linked to Aadhar Card of physical verifiable certificate to be issued to citizens of India.
RT-PCR/Quarantine norms to be waived for such passengers who have got vaccinated within India. eg. Travellers from New Delhi or Rajasthan etc entering Maharashtra.
Mandate domestic/international travellers, health/travel insurance to be taken. A recommendation to be set across to IRDA or relevant Ministry to ensure the same is covered under Mediclaim/Corporate Medical Policies etc.
