KHALEEJ TIMES, Monday, Dec 27, 2021 | Jumada Al-Uola 21, 1443
UAE-India flights: Expats cancel travel plans as some states issue Covid-19 quarantine rules
Emirates:
Indian expatriates in the UAE are considering
putting their vacation plans on hold as various states across India are
introducing mandatory quarantine regulations.
The government of Maharashtra announced over the
weekend that all international passengers arriving from Dubai would have to
undergo seven-day mandatory home quarantine. Similar rules were announced for
the South-Indian state of Karnataka and some states have also announced
on-arrival RT-PCR testing for all in-bound travellers.
Experts said fresh regulations were issued after
the rapid rise in Omicron cases, a variant of the SARS Cov-2 Covid-19 variant,
across the globe. Residents fear abrupt changes in travel policies, leading them
to get stranded back home, said travel agents.
“The same thing happened last year. Cases rose in
India after mid-March last year. When matters got worse, India-UAE flights were
completely stopped except for a few categories of travellers. I cannot afford to
get stuck in a similar situation this year,” said George Thomas, an Indian
accountant living in JLT. He added, “I could lose my job if I get stuck in India
again. My family and I had plans to travel to India mid-January. However, now
we’ll wait to see how matters evolve in the coming days.
UAE travel agents operating in the India sector
have said exact travel trends would become clearer after the New Year.
Sudheesh TP, general manager, Deira Travel and
Tourist Agency told Khaleej Times, “At a
federal-level, there are no change in protocols yet. A few passengers who went
from here had to undergo random testing at the airport.” He added, “However,
changes are being made at a regional level. Transit passengers who originated
from certain nations and travelled to India via UAE are being scrutinized upon
arrival in India.”
Sudheesh said health authorities at a state-level
are on high alert. “These measures are being implemented for safety,” he added.
Agents have said though there was a massive demand
for flights back home when schools closed, the demand has dropped over the past
few days and weeks. “The rush is for UAE-bound flights. Usually, air ticket
prices are three times the usual return fare,” explained Sudheesh.
He said many fear entry restrictions would be
introduced and they would not be able to return to their homes in Dubai. “We are
noticing only those with a genuine need to travel are the ones who are going
home. Vacationers are avoiding the trip,” he said.
Afi Ahmed, managing director Smart Travels, said
average one-way ticket prices to many destinations in India are priced at Dh500
to Dh600. “Usually, ticket prices are three times above standard rate. Many fear
they could get stranded in case restrictions are announced,” he said.
Ahmed said people are adopting a wait-and-watch
approach before finalising their travel plans.
Mir Wasim Raja, manager leisure groups and MICE at
Galadari International Travel Services (ITS), said, “People are not confident.
People who want to go for short important trips - if the journey is not
mandatory - they are not making that travel. Instead, they are looking at
vacations abroad.”
He said fewer vacation travellers and families are
headed to India at the moment. “Only people with emergency travel plans are
going home at the moment. Those who have to go, don’t mind the seven-day
quarantine.”
Arun Fernando, chief executive officer at United
World Holidays, said most trends related to travel plans would be clear only
after New Year’s day. “Most people are exercising caution when it comes to
international travels.” He added, “The accurate trends would become clearer only
after winter holidays,.”