Travelling from UK to India during UK Covid lockdown: Complete step by step guide on Process

As UK is in lockdown because of new strain and we don’t really know till when. So, only travel if there is an emergency or an unavoidable situation. There are limited flights operating to and from India. Last I checked, it was Air India, Vistara and British Airways.
Below is the complete guide to travel from London (Heathrow) to Delhi International airport step by step.

Pre-requisites for travelling to India from UK:

1. Book Flight Tickets: Book your tickets at least 96 hours before travel. So, that you have enough time to plan your travel and complete all formalities.
   
2. Book your COVID test (RT-PCR) slot: It should be booked within 72 hours of your travel. So, immediately after booking your tickets, the next thing you have to go for is to find a slot to carry out the test according to the time of your flight departure.
   It is absolutely necessary to carry a negative RT-PCR test report. Otherwise, you will be denied to board the flight at London airport.
   
3. Covid Test centers in London: The Covid test is being carried out at various places including at Heathrow airport itself.
   We took Express drive-through test. You do not have to get out of your car at all. I personally feel this is the most convenient and safe way to get tested. This claims to provide report before 10pm the next day.
   Our slot was in the morning at 10.20 am and we got our results by 5pm, the same day. It was super fast.
   Or if you do not have a car, you can also book test at Heathrow airport centre which claims to provide test results within 48 hours of your test.
   Both will cost you £80 per person.
   
4. Self Declaration Form: Once you are done with above two. Then, go to Air Suvidha site and fill up the self declaration form which has to be filled at least 72 hours before departure as stated in all the Indian govt. documents.
   But the catch is that form asks you to upload the negative test result ( which ofcourse you can’t upload because you have to take the test within 72 hours, so you can’t get the report before that).
   So, I called customer support, and they asked me to fill the form and upload the Covid test booking confirmation at the place of report and carry the negative test report at the day of boarding the flight.
   After the submission of this form, you will get an Air reference number (which is a proof that you have submitted the form).
   
5. Airline: We travelled by Vistara and they opened the web check-in before 96 hours of travel and it was mandatory to web check-in as they will ask for your Air reference number (this you will get after submitting self declaration form).
   At boarding gate, you will be given a face shield, mask and hand sanitizer. You will have to wear face shield and mask at the time of boarding.
   
6. Negative Test Report: Once you have got your negative test report. You are good to go at airport to board your flight.
   
7. Required Documents: Keep in mind to have these documents handy at departure from London and arrival in Delhi:
   Negative covid test report,
   Self declaration form (Airsuvidha site),
   Boarding pass,
   Passport
   

Arrival at Delhi Airport:

1. Counter 1: You will be asked for boarding pass and self declaration form at counter 1.
   
2. Counter 2: Your airline might provide you a form to fill before landing (Vistara gave us during baggage drop). You will have to fill all the details inside this form including final destination and if you are taking a connecting flight from Delhi.
   Or you can also fill it on arrival, the forms are available at Delhi airport as well. Before proceeding further, you should have this form filled (let’s call it Form-2).
   
3. Counter 3: Then, you will be asked for self declaration form, passport, Form-2 and boarding pass. The officials will give you the copy of your passport and keep the original with them.
   
4. Counter 4: Now, at this counter, you will be asked to pay for Covid test and waiting lounge which is INR 3400 per person. The officials will provide you with a receipt and seat number (waiting seat at lounge). You will have to be seated at your seat the entire time maintaining the social distance.
   
5. Counter 5: At this counter, officials will ask you for the form and receipt to enter in their system.
   
6. Counter 6: Here, you will be asked to give swab sample for your Covid test and then done. Now the wait begins.
   
   This whole process from step 1 to step 6, took around 20-30 minutes.
   The most time consuming part is to wait for your report. It took almost 5 hours for our reports to arrive. We were tested negative so it was stamped Home Quarantine on our Boarding pass.
   

Other Important Details:

1. If you are tested negative, then there is no institutional quarantine required in Delhi and you are free to go at your final destination for home quarantine.
2. You can also travel to any other state or city via connecting flight or road if tested negative at delhi airport.
3. If you are planning to take connecting flight then make sure to keep a safe time of 7-8 hours.
4. Food is provided in the flight as well as at the waiting lounge at Delhi airport. There was enough food all the time.
5. Once tested negative: At immigration counter, you will be asked for your final destination address. Govt. medical center will keep in touch with you about your health while you will be in home quarantine.
6. If tested positive, you will be taken to hospital or institutional quarantine in Delhi itself.

Overall the process was smooth and there was no confusion at all at any time. The only thing is to be prepared for the waiting time as off course it gets hectic.

Share this with your family and friends who are looking to travel from UK. Do let me know if this was useful. 😊

Stay Safe
Stay healthy
Stay happy