Chennai Travel Checklist for Travelers Flying from the USA

Chennai is one of the busiest cities in India, which is rich in heritage and culture. It is also one of the most populous metropolitan cities of India. A lot of tourists from abroad visit this city every year. So, due to the ongoing pandemic situation, the government has issued a lot of travel requirements for passengers travelling to Chennai from abroad.

• The government of India’s new guidelines for international arrivals will apply to all passengers flying into Chennai, Tamil Nadu, from abroad. Travelers arriving from countries with which India is in agreement on mutual recognition of vaccine certificates must either be fully vaccinated or take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before undertaking the journey. This list includes the names of various countries like the USA, the UK, Ireland, Austria, Australia, Singapore, Qatar, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico.
• Children under 5 years of age will continue to be exempted from vaccination and pre-departure COVID-19 testing. If any child during the travel journey is found symptomatic on arrival, the child must be tested for COVID-19 on an immediate basis.
• As per the new guidelines applicable for international passengers to Tamil Nadu, no passenger is required to take a post-arrival RT-PCR test at Chennai Airport unless the passenger is found symptomatic of COVID-19 in thermal screening or you are identified for random testing. In either case, the passenger would likely be allowed to exit the airport or take a connecting flight after giving the swab sample. If the passenger tests positive, they need to get isolated immediately.
• Chennai International Airport’s COVID-testing lab charges Rs 700 per person for a regular RT-PCR test and delivers the report in almost 5-6 hours, which takes a little time. The cost of a rapid RT-PCR test is Rs. 3400 per passenger, and the report is available within one hour of the sample collection, which is convenient as per time.