With the ongoing de-escalation phase of the lockdown, numerous globetrotters have started to travel again. While governments across the world still recommend their citizens to stay put, many countries have now opened up their borders to draw in visitors. Primarily, the governments of all nations have implemented the ‘Air-Bubbles’ or ‘Air-Transport Bubbles’ agreement to implement quarantine and testing guidelines for arrivals. Currently, India has air travel arrangements with 23 countries, including the Maldives, United States of America (USA), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others. Countries like Rwanda and the Netherlands were added to the list recently.
Air-Transport Bubbles
The Air-Transport Bubbles agreement was implemented by the government of all nations to make temporary travel arrangements and to restart commercial passenger services in the aftermath of COVID-19. This was done due to the unavailability of regular international flights as a result of the pandemic. Besides, the Indian government has now allowed all OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cardholders to travel to India. The Civil Aviation Ministry has set guidelines on who can travel to these countries from India along with the criteria for travelling to India to other countries.
Want to know which country you can travel to right now? Here are a few popular destinations that have reopened post lockdown, keeping in mind the necessary health guidelines that have been put in place.
- Maldives
Pristine white beaches, luxurious resorts, and the expanse of the Indian Ocean is a perfect spot for your very first post-lockdown trip. The best time to visit the Maldives is from December to April. An Indian national is allowed to travel to this island country if they have a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility. The traveler must hold a negative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test to enter the country.
- United States of America
Indian nationals can travel to the USA from India with a valid visa. On arrival, you are required to stay in quarantine for 14 days and adhere to all the additional guidelines set by the US government. The ideal time to travel to the USA is from December to March. You can take a trip to New York, Vermont, San Francisco, and the northern half of the country once your quarantine period is over.
- Bhutan
Travel to the eastern Himalayas to view the serene monasteries and breathtaking dramatic landscapes of the subtropical plains and valleys. Bhutan is an ideal escape to find peace amid the chaos of the pandemic. However, all travelers must undergo a PCR test and complete a quarantine period of 21 days, and only then are they allowed to move around freely and explore Bhutan.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
If enjoying the sunset at Burj Khalifa or skydiving in Dubai are on your list since the lockdown was imposed, then this is your chance to tick it off. An Indian national must get a UAE visa and take a mandatory PCR test before their arrival in Dubai. On arrival passengers have their temperature taken with thermal screening devices, followed by a PCR test. If the test was taken at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the PCR test result. In the case of a positive result, you will be quarantined and have to follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.
The above-mentioned countries, and more, have now opened their borders for foreign travelers. However, keep in mind that many countries still insist on avoiding travel for non-essential reasons and, as mentioned, have imposed quarantine guidelines on all overseas arrivals, including their own citizens. Before travelling, check all the relevant restrictions and government guidelines of the country in question.
Whether you travel domestically or internationally, the travel expenses are likely to be higher than before with the test and quarantine period imposed. For financial assistance, you can apply for a travel loan online with ease. At Finserv MARKETS, you can avail a personal loan amount of up to Rs. 25 lakhs at affordable rates to cover all your travel expenses. You can also make use of the personal loan EMI calculator on the Finserv MARKETS app to get an estimate of your EMI repayments. This will help you manage your overall finances effortlessly.
