Highlights
- International passengers landing in India can now seek exemption from institutional quarantine
- COVID-19 test must be done 96 hours before start of journey; application 72 hours before start of journey
- Medicare-ineligible passengers leaving Australia can get test and report for free
Effective since August 8, the Government of India has issued fresh guidelines regarding quarantine of international passengers entering India.
As per the notice issued by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) last week, a seven-day institutional quarantine mandatory is now for inbound international travellers, which is to be followed by home isolation for another seven days.
However, exceptions will be made for special circumstances like human distress, pregnancy, death in the family, serious illness and for parents accompanied by children aged under 10 years of age.
Where to apply for exemption
This exemption can be sought by applying on the online portal of New Delhi airport at least 72 hours before boarding. The final decision will be taken by the local government authorities.
Under these guidelines, travellers can also seek exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative COVID-19 test report upon arrival in India, provided the test is conducted 96 hrs prior to the journey.
Most passengers flying from Australia into India these days are either temporary visa holders or family members of Australian permanent residents and citizens on visitor visas.
Both categories are ineligible for Medicare in Australia. But to seek an exemption, they need to get tested. So, is there a cost to getting a COVID test?
The short answer is, no.
How to get an exemption
For passengers flying into India from Australia, a report to seek this exemption can be obtained from the following:
Victoria:
According to Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), results are provided usually via text message or phone call. People can request a letter of confirmation of their test result if they are travelling overseas.
New South Wales:
A New South Wales Pathology spokesperson told SBS Punjabi that results are automatically sent to the patient’s requesting doctor or GP, once available. The patient may contact their doctor to request a copy of their results.
Results are also made available in the patient’s My Health Record, if signed up.
If the patient has registered to receive the result via the NSW Health Pathology SMS Results Service, which is an opt-in voluntary service, they will also receive a notification of negative result via their mobile phone.
Free for all
COVID-19 testing is free for everyone at government-operated testing sites, irrespective of visa status and entitlement to Medicare.
A spokesperson for Victoria’s DHHS told SBS Punjabi, “The coronavirus test is free for everyone, including people without a Medicare card, such as visitors from overseas, migrant workers and asylum seekers. There is no fee for the test when you get tested at a public health facility, mobile testing centre or GP offering bulk billing.”
A New South Wales Health spokesperson told SBS Punjabi, “NSW Health will continue to waive fees for suspected cases of COVID-19 patients presenting to our hospitals who are Medicare ineligible (overseas visitors). Any testing and/or hospitalisations as a result of COVID-19 will be provided free of charge. Medicare ineligible (overseas) patients are not expected to pay upfront and then seek reimbursement.”
However, if the patient has private health insurance, staff are expected to attempt to claim the expense from there, the spokesperson added.
“In the event of the claim being unsuccessful all COVID-19 tests etc, will be free. The Commonwealth Government oversees Primary Health Networks (general practitioners),” the spokesperson explained.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Find out what restrictions are in place for your state or territory.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at http://www.sbs.com.au/coronavirus
