India - Bio-Security
COVID-19:
- All Covid restrictions were lifted in India at the end of December 2022.
Resources:
- Bureau of Immigration – with travel advisories
- https://www.mea.gov.in/guidelines-for-international-arrivals.htm
- Red Sea Passage Facebook Page (closed group)
History:
- Travel and visa restrictions began mid-March 2020 with prohibited entry from a large number of countries.
- On 24 March, India went into lockdown for 21 days. Air, road and rail transport systems were all suspended. No foreign yachts were permitted to enter. Foreign yacht crew in India had to stay on board and are were permitted to go ashore during the lockdown.
- Yachts with Indian crew were allowed to return to India but had to undertake a 14 day quarantine on arrival.
- During April the lockdown continued to be extended and all visas were suspended.
- For cruising boats stuck in the country, visas were extended automatically and foreign yacht crew were given 30 days in which to leave the country from the day lockdown was finally over.
- Mid-May 2020 a COVID-19 containment plan was announced, in which States were allowed to decide the Red, Green and Orange zones as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, thus allowing states to open the economy in parts.
- Domestic flight operations re-started in India.
- The marina at Cochin remained “open”, and there are a few boats there, but sea borders remain closed.
- October 15 the issuing of tourist visas began once more after 1.5 years of closure. To begin with to arrivals by charter flight only.
- From November 15th, 2021, all visas became available and the country opened to vaccinated travelers.
- From February 2022 unvaccinated travelers were able to enter India with pre-departure testing.
- December 24, 2022, all restrictions were lifted.
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We cleared in at Kochi after sending pre-arrival notification (PANS). First Port (Harbor) Control came to see us, but they asked questions without coming on board. Then Health, who came on board, did a temperature check but no masks required (and he did not ask about our vaccination status) and finally Port Marina and Immigration.
They all had 3 copies of questionnaires and wanted to know the last 10 ports visited(one wanted to know the last 10 countries visited). They wanted to see the ships papers, number, port registration, etc. etc. They wrote everything down on all 3 copies.
The day after the visits on board, we had to visit the office of immigration. They entered some of the data into a computer. Then we had to go to the Port Marina office and answer some more questions. We had to pay (me and 1 crew) around 1200 rupies (approx. $15). We got a statement that we would be allowed to leave the anchorage and move to the marina. Then we had to go to customs .. which by mistake were not informed. A questionnaire was prepared and a Customs officer went with us in the dinghy back to the boat. He inspected the boat and put the Iridium Go phone in a compartment and sealed it. Then he wrote down some food we had .. white beans 3 cans, red beans 2 cans, fruit peach 2 cans … and so forth.
Back at the Customs office he guided us to another Customs department where my ships papers were taken as a deposit. We then had to wait around 30 minutes while that guy then got some other departments informed. Then we could leave.
There is a local guy that helps you. He and his brother took over the “service” from their father. He contacts sailors and offers help. He is not a clearing agent nor an approved importer, but he knows his way around all the offices. He’s called Nisam – phone +91 97464 62686.
27 hours after arrival we could proceed to the marina.
In general India (or at least the state of Kerala), probably doesn’t understand the cash / income they could make with yachts visiting. Maitenance of the marina is bad.
What comes first? Infrastructure for boats or the boats? I would not recommend others to stop here.
E-Visa normally processed in 72hours not 60days. Took 12 hours for our visas to be granted.
Lakshadweep Islands: Update received from Indian boat owner who was granted a permit to visit these islands for a period of 9 days in February 2015. He reports that the process is difficult and one must push to get an answer from the Island Administrator. See RESTRICTIONS above in the Formalities section for details of how to apply for a permit.
Posted on behalf of Brian Thurlow from Cochin, India:
It is difficult, or nearly impossible for foreign boats to visit the Lakshadweep Islands. We have one Indian owned catamaran in the marina who did the trip last year with at least one European crew. I will contact him for details. He said it was difficult, but not impossible. Waiting for an update.
Does anyone have any info on visiting the Lakshadweep islands?
Was in Kochi (Cochin) at the end of February 2014 on s/y Anima. Stay in International Marina. You must anchor off near Port Control for clearance. Port security comes onboard to check the boat, after that you will go ashore with a security officer for customs and immigration. Be ready to spend a whole day (or more, if you come on Sunday). After clearance, you’ll go to the Harbourmaster office to take permission to go to Marina. Channel to the marina is good markered, but not so good dragged – there was 1.8 minimal depth at MHWS, take care! Marina is empty but still works. Maybe you will meet Bebe – tuk-tuk driver. You can solve almost any problem with his assistance.