New Delhi, June 25 (IANS). The Civil Aviation Ministry in collaboration with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on Thursday launched ‘Air Suvidha 2.0’. It is a completely contactless and advanced passenger health self-declaration portal, which aims to further strengthen public health surveillance at international airports.
This step has been taken in view of the current outbreak of Ebola disease.
According to officials, this new platform has been launched after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on May 17.
The announcement was made under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005.
The current outbreak has been confirmed as Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD), officials said.
According to the latest WHO assessment, countries adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, such as South Sudan, have also been placed in high-risk areas for the spread of the infection.
Through this portal, developed in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, international travelers coming to India will have to fill a mandatory online health self-declaration form.
In this form, passengers will have to provide travel details of the last 21 days, information about possible contacts or exposures and information about symptoms, if any. This process has to be completed before immigration clearance.
‘Air Suvidha 2.0’ is designed to provide a convenient and hassle-free experience to passengers while also providing effective health monitoring.
According to officials, the system will share passenger information in real-time with multiple agencies, including airport health officers, Bureau of Immigration, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) and state surveillance authorities.
The government says this integrated data sharing system will help in faster identification of passengers who may be at risk of infection.
Through this, timely monitoring, referral and other public health measures can be taken if needed.
Also, the entire process will be contactless, so that passengers will not need to fill paper forms at the airport.
Officials said the Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form (SDF) can be filled up to 24 hours before reaching India.
International passengers have been advised to fill this form before boarding the flight, especially during web check-in, so that their process can be completed faster after reaching India.
After filling the form, passengers only need to show the downloaded self-declaration form at the International Travel Health Desk or Immigration counter.
This will reduce delays in the arrival process and provide more convenience to passengers.
“All international travelers are requested to fill the self-declaration form accurately and on time, keeping in mind their own and public health safety,” officials said.
He said that this system will play an important role in ensuring the safety of passengers and preventing potential health risks.
–IANS
DBP
