Course of and Private Expertise – Blogs By Nerissa

Word: The next data could be very particular to my private expertise of planning journey to India and flying with Emirates. You will have a unique expertise based mostly on the airline you select and your vacation spot metropolis. Therefore, make sure you do your individual due diligence.  

Course of as of: July 2021
Airline: Emirates
Journey route: Toronto – Dubai – Mumbai

PRE-TRAVEL

1. Make sure you’re absolutely vaccinated and retain vaccine receipts. That is NOT a compulsory requirement for worldwide journey however it’s VERY important in the event you intend to file for exemption from institutional quarantine in India. Plus, it would even be useful to re-enter Canada. Whereas transiting by means of Dubai, they don’t ask for vaccination particulars.
   • A be aware on combined vaccines: So as to be thought of absolutely vaccinated, sure international locations just like the U.S. should not acknowledging combined vaccines (eg. first dose of Pfizer and second dose of Moderna). Tips are altering on a regular basis, so do hold a monitor of all international locations you’re transiting by means of in addition to the tip vacation spot. For India – there is no such thing as a readability whether or not they’re accepting combined vaccines. Personally, I made it some extent to stay to the identical vaccine for each doses so I’m not conscious of how they’re treating instances with combined vaccines.
     • Tip: Print out all of your vaccine receipts. You will have to point out it upon arrival whereas claiming exemption from institutional quarantine. Based mostly on my first-hand (very restricted) expertise, it looks as if they’re not accepting digital paperwork on the airport.  
2. E-book your air ticket as a lot upfront as potential. If you happen to’re trying to fly ASAP, attempt your greatest to consider a minimal timeframe of not less than 3 days (72 hours) for finishing all journey associated formalities for a clean journey. You will have your flight data to fill out different important types. On Emirates, you’ll have the choice to decide on your seats. Nevertheless, there’s no assure that you may be assigned the identical seat. See official response right here. If you happen to’re trying to guide an Emirates flight from Toronto, they function 5 direct flights to Dubai (on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday); all flights depart at 9:45 PM. 
3. Get PCR take a look at accomplished – it is a obligatory requirement for flying to India. Swap Well being in Canada has a tie-up with Emirates and they’re additionally those who’ve been appointed by the Canadian Authorities to conduct PCR checks for arriving passengers at Toronto airport. The PCR take a look at for journey prices about $180 (most cost-effective one in Toronto is approx. $160). They provide a $20 low cost in the event you use a coupon code, making it the most cost effective one. You’re going to get the code on the webpage after you guide your air tickets – hold a watch out for that; it’s within the advantageous print. Take a look at outcomes are normally obtainable the identical day or early subsequent day. I acquired my ends in lower than 12 hours of taking the take a look at. 
   • Tip: For similar day outcomes, guide your take a look at within the first half of the day (earlier than 11:30 am). 
   • Word: Swap Well being solely offers digital outcomes. Emirates requires you to have a bodily copy of the take a look at so, you have to to print it. 
   • Potential questions you will have: Is the PCR take a look at obligatory? What to do if it is advisable to journey in lower than 24 hours? 
     • The PCR take a look at is obligatory for journey and is crucial in two eventualities: (1) to board the airplane and (2) to enter India. 
       • Boarding the airplane: If you happen to don’t have a PCR take a look at and/or are travelling at quick discover, it could be greatest to name the airline, ask about their exemption standards after which present supporting documentation that they ask. 
       • Coming into India: There are exemptions in place for conditions akin to exigency of dying within the household or excessive household misery, and so forth. If you happen to can present a dying certificates or different medical paperwork, it’s potential to assert exemption from two issues: PCR take a look at AND institutional quarantine. 
4. After getting your PCR take a look at end result, go to the Air Suvidha web site and fill out the Self-Declaration Kind (SDF). You will have to connect a replica of your passport and the adverse COVID take a look at end result. When you submit the shape on-line, you’ll instantly get an electronic mail with an attachment – a filled-in PDF model of the shape. You will have to print this type. It’s required at a number of checkpoints: previous to boarding the airplane, whereas in transit at Dubai, and likewise if you land in India. 
   • If you happen to’re claiming for exemption, fill out the Exemption kind BEFORE filling the SDF. This can require you to connect a dying certificates or medical certificates supporting your case for journey to India.
   • Approval timeline: I’m undecided about their Customary Working Course of (SOP), however in my case I had utilized 10 days earlier than my journey date and solely acquired the approval on the day of my journey.
   • The approval is distributed to your electronic mail with an attachment – a PDF file indicating that you simply’re exempt from institutional quarantine. You will have to print this out. Identical to the SDF, will probably be required at a number of checkpoints: previous to boarding the airplane, whereas in transit at Dubai, and likewise if you land in India.
   • Word that rejections are quite common and you can’t enchantment the choice. So, in the event you don’t have a robust case and/or supporting paperwork, it could be greatest to not apply for exemption.
5. Optionally available: Fill the Enterprise kind. I’m not sure if this type must be stuffed out for different Indian cities. My understanding is that it is just required for these travelling to Mumbai. This manner will likely be given to you in-flight from DXB to BOM. So, it’s elective to fill it out upfront. 
   • Word: There are 2 variations of the Enterprise kind: Model 1 (for these with legitimate PCR take a look at report taken 72 hours previous to departure and claiming institutional quarantine exemption) and Model 2 (for individuals who must take the PCR take a look at on the airport and avail of the house quarantine choice). The shape distributed in-flight is Model 2 so in the event you determine to print it out upfront, you might need to print this one.
6. Vaccine self-declaration kind: That is VERY IMPORTANT in the event you’re claiming institutional quarantine exemption. Guarantee to print it out, fill it and fix your vaccination receipts. If you happen to don’t have the shape upon arrival at Mumbai, (I believe) they offers you a replica and ask you to fill it. 
   • Tip: At Mumbai airport, it tends to get very chaotic at that individual counter and nobody observes bodily distancing measures, so it could be useful to have this type able to submit moderately than spend extra time in a crowded space within the sweltering warmth. [Post baggage claim at Mumbai I constantly wondered if the air conditioning was working. It was HOT!]
7. Lastly, have a couple of face masks prepared to make use of. It’s an extended journey and from a hygiene standpoint, you’ll need to change your masks periodically – even in the event you’re utilizing fabric masks. Gloves are really useful however not obligatory. Throughout my journey, I didn’t see any of the passengers carrying gloves. 

DURING TRAVEL

At Toronto Pearson

• As with all worldwide journey, plan to reach on the airport not less than 3 hours previous to departure time. The check-in course of at Toronto Pearson could be very environment friendly and fast so it shouldn’t take you lengthy. Emirates is now not issuing digital boarding passes. You possibly can, nevertheless, check-in on-line 48 hours previous to departure and choose your seats. They are going to concern a bodily boarding move if you check-in on the airport. 
  • Word: As a part of COVID protocol there are devoted entrance factors to Pearson and any non-travellers accompanying you to the airport should not allowed inside. You’ll have to say your goodbyes curbside. Newest particulars concerning drop-offs and parking at Pearson can be found on the airport web site. 
• As you line up for check-in, have the SDF, your accepted Exemption kind, copy of dying/medical certificates supporting the exemption kind, and the adverse COVID take a look at end result prepared. Airline representatives will confirm the paperwork after which ask you to proceed to the check-in counter. 
• On the check-in counter, you’ll have to as soon as once more present the identical paperwork. The consultant will verify your handle and telephone quantity for India and enter it on their system together with another particulars stuffed out in your kind. Additionally, you will be requested about your objective of journey and you may be required to verbally consent that you simply’re OK with not sustaining bodily distancing on the airplane. Remainder of the method is similar as common journey – they’ll weigh your baggage and print the boarding move.   
• Past check-in you received’t want the paperwork. Simply have your passport and boarding move helpful. 
  • Word: At any of the checkpoints, they won’t retain your paperwork. As soon as they confirm the data, they’ll return your paperwork to you.
• Subsequent, you head over to safety. On the way in which to the safety zone, there’s physique temperature/thermal screening. After taking your temperature, a consultant will let you realize which safety counter it’s best to go to. 
• Safety course of is similar as throughout common journey – they display your luggage and belongings and also you stroll by means of the steel detector. 
• After finishing safety, you possibly can head over to your boarding gate. 
• Word: All through the airport, water fountains should not obtainable to be used. So, in the event you want ingesting water, you’ll have to buy a water bottle. It’s the identical state of affairs with eating places – most locations are shut. Solely a restricted variety of eating places, shops and cafes are operational. 

In-flight YYZ to DXB

• All the pieces is enterprise as common. I’ve flown with Emirates earlier than and in my expertise the standard of service has dropped a notch (eg. meals, wifi, a few non-functioning washrooms, and so forth.). Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless method higher than flying Air Canada or Air India. 

At Dubai airport

• When you alight at Dubai, you’ll have to undergo safety screening once more. No paperwork or passport is required right here. This course of is similar as pre-COVID journey.
• Subsequent, test the boarding gate in your connecting flight. Usually, for the YYZ-DXB-BOM route, the layover in Dubai is 3 and a half hours. Attributable to COVID protocols, as a substitute of 45 minutes they begin boarding one and a half hour earlier than departure time. So, be aware of time and arrive at your boarding gate effectively upfront. 
• Right here, as soon as once more you may be required to point out all of your paperwork viz., the SDF, accepted Exemption kind (if in case you have one), dying/medical certificates supporting the Exemption kind, and the adverse COVID take a look at end result. 
• After verification, they offers you a PPE. It’s obligatory to put on the PPE on the flight from Dubai to Mumbai. They won’t allow you to board the airplane in the event you don’t put on it. Heads up: DXB-BOM is essentially the most uncomfortable leg of the journey because of the requirement of carrying a masks + PPE.

In-flight DXB to BOM

• No main adjustments for in-flight service. Much like the YYZ-DXB leg, it’s enterprise as common. I discovered the standard of service on the second leg of the journey to be higher than the primary. 
• As indicated above within the ‘pre-travel’ part, they offers you an Enterprise kind to be stuffed. You possibly can skip this in the event you’ve already printed it out and stuffed it.

ARRIVAL AT MUMBAI

• First, you possibly can take off the PPE proper after deboarding the airplane however keep in mind to maintain the masks on! 
• As you stroll in direction of immigration, on the first checkpoint they’ll ask to see the SDF kind. They don’t test it intimately however merely look at it and allow you to by means of. They could ask in your passport. I noticed some passengers being requested to point out theirs. I didn’t have to point out my passport.
• Immigration counters are enterprise as common.
• Subsequent, head over to baggage declare. On the way in which to baggage declare, you’ll see notices asking you to obtain the Aarogya Setu app. Nobody asks to see it in your telephone however it could be higher to have it put in simply in case they test. 
• When you accumulate your baggage, proceed to customs. Right here, as common, they’ll display your luggage and in the event you’re unfortunate like me, you might get stopped by a customs officer who will need to see your passport and boarding move and ask you a bunch of questions akin to: the place are you travelling from, what’s your occupation, do you have got any items with you that quantity to over INR 50,000, after how lengthy are you returning to India, have you ever bought any new electronics that you simply’ve purchased with you, which telephone do you utilize, what number of telephones do you have got, what sort of objects are in your baggage, and so forth. Fortunately, they didn’t ask me to open my baggage. On considered one of my earlier journeys, I needed to open my baggage and allow them to examine it. 
• After customs, you’ll head over to the part for claiming quarantine exemption. Have the next paperwork prepared:
  • Your passport 
  • Boarding move 
  • SDF kind 
  • Exemption kind (if in case you have one) + dying/medical certificates supporting your Exemption kind 
  • Unfavorable COVID take a look at end result 
  • The enterprise kind 
  • Self-declaration kind for vaccination + vaccination receipts
• There are a couple of completely different queues right here: one is for these travelling to an handle that’s inside the jurisdiction of Mumbai district, one other is for ‘Remainder of Maharashtra’ and (I don’t recall accurately however I believe I noticed) a queue for these travelling outdoors Maharashtra both by flight or by highway. The representatives at these counters will decide whether or not you’re exempt from institutional quarantine or not. If you happen to don’t qualify for exemption, there are shuttle buses ready outdoors and you may be taken to a quarantine facility. That is additionally the purpose the place they’ll ask you to make the cost in your keep. If you happen to qualify for exemption, they’ll direct you to a different counter.
• On the second counter, they’ll test all of the above listed paperwork once more. They are going to particularly search for vaccination receipts and inquire about HOW you’ll journey from the airport to your vacation spot handle. If there’s anybody choosing you up on the airport, it’s a must to present their identify and car license plate quantity. Bear in mind to fill this data on the Enterprise kind. I’m not sure of the method to be adopted in the event you determine to take a cab or guide an Ola/Uber from the airport. 
• When you’re all accomplished with the types, it’s a must to go to a different counter to get the stamp of institutional quarantine exemption. At this counter, they’ll (but once more) test all of the paperwork listed above and if all the things appears to be so as, they’ll stamp your boarding move and likewise add a stamp in your left hand. 
• After this, you possibly can put away all of the types. Solely have your boarding move and passport out.
• Then take the elevator and go downstairs in direction of the exit. Observe instructions till you attain the exit level. You may be requested in your boarding move right here to confirm the quarantine exemption. The consultant will ask your contact quantity in India and write it in your boarding move.
• As you step out of the airport, you as soon as once more want to point out the boarding move and your passport. The consultant will manually make a remark of all of your particulars of their register. 
• As you exit the checkpoint, one other consultant will ask to see the stamp in your hand – that is the ultimate verification step. 
• You at the moment are free to depart the airport. 
• In any respect checkpoints, nobody retains your types and paperwork; it would all be handed over to you as soon as they look at and confirm it. So, primarily you don’t want a number of copies. However maybe have a replica set for good measure. 
• Word: If you happen to’ve travelled to Mumbai earlier than, the common exit on the airport (close to the water fountain) is now not accessible. You’ll as a substitute exit close to P4 which is just restricted to quarantine shuttle buses and airport cabs. Personal autos should not allowed right here. So, you have to to take the elevator and stroll to the parking zone at P5 or P6. 
• This marks the tip of a 20+ hour lengthy journey. Be ready to quarantine at dwelling for the subsequent 14 days. 

Protected travels! 

P.S. If you happen to’re studying this and have travelled to India with combined vaccines, or if in case you have another related expertise/data to share that may profit different travellers, please go away a remark so I can replace this put up.

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