News Latest Information on Travelling to Andaman Islands?

Runway Status for Port Blair Airport From October,22 to February, 23

Updated: 19 Sep 2022

From	To	Status
18-Oct	21-Oct	Closed
22-Oct	31-Oct	Operational
01-Nov	04-Nov	Closed
05-Nov	14-Nov	Operational
15-Nov	18-Nov	Closed
19-Nov	28-Nov	Operational
29-Nov	02-Dec	Closed
03-Dec	12-Dec	Operational
13-Dec	16-Dec	Closed
17-Dec	26-Dec	Operational
27-Dec	30-Dec	Closed
31-Dec	09-Jan	Operational
10-Jan	13-Jan	Closed
14-Jan	23-Jan	Operational
24-Jan	27-Jan	Closed
28-Jan	06-Feb	Operational
07-Feb	10-Feb	Closed
11-Feb	20-Feb	Operational

RT PCR report on arrival
Updated: 14 Aug 2021
Andaman Tourism Opens
Updated: 14 Aug 2021

Andaman Tourism Opens: The Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced that all tourist spots in the South Andaman district will be opened for tourism activities with immediate effect 8 Feb 2022.
What is the advisory to travel to North & Middle Andaman District?
Updated: 14 Aug 2021

The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman on production of double dose covid certificate/ All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report

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All asymptomatic fully vaccinated persons coming to these islands from mainland are exempted from the requirement of carrying RT-PCR negative test report,irrespective of the type of vaccine received and country of origin. Such fullyvaccinated individuals shall produce the final vaccination certificate at the origin airport, sea port in the mainland and at Port Blair Airport / sea port.
Alt asymptomatic children below 5 years of age are exempted from carrying RT-PCR negative test report and further RT-PCR testing at Port Blair Airport.
All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report to travel to Port Blair from the mainland, as is the practice now. Such an RT-PCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to commencement of journey from the origin airport connecting Port Blair. Such passengers will also have to undergo additional RT-PCR test on arrival at Port Blair. Such passengers shall remain in self-quarantine till the arrival of the test report.
If a passenger on arrival is tested positive then, the prescribed quarantine protocol is to be followed.
All Airlines shall ensure strict compliance of this order and observance of COVID Appropriate Behaviour. Any non-compliance shall invite action under Disaster Management Act and other applicable laws.

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General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :

The Tourism Activities are permitted only in South Andaman & North & Middle Andaman District except Nicobar District.
Persons above 65 years of age, persons with home co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years advised not to travel for tourism purposes.
Tourists/Visitors who are at higher risk due to some medical history are advised to take extra precautions.
Tourists/visitors shall minimize contact with other staff and visitors as far as possible and zero contact policy should be followed at all tourist destinations.
All tourists/visitors shall be briefed by the hotel concerned about do’s & don’ts to be mandatorily followed during their stay and movements.
While travelling tourists/visitors should wear a face mask and carry their own sanitizer and wet wipes for personal use.
At all tourist destinations, staff must wear face masks and wash/sanitize hands regularly while performing their duties.
Arogya Setu App shall be mandatory for all incoming tourists/visitors.
Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly after use.
The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/ visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&%N Administration, on rate as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid 19 care centre on case to case basis.

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What are the guidelines for testing for tourists coming to Andaman after August 03 2021?

On arrival at Port Blair :

1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021).

2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in
institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case-to-case basis.

3. Tourists may also have to undergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration.

What if the tourists test positive after arriving at the Andaman Islands?

If the tourists tests positive during their stay in the Islands, he/she will need to undergo institutional isolation as per existing health protocols. The
cost of such isolation for govt. facility will be paid by the tourists as fixed by the administration from time to time.

If the patient wants to stay at hotels, he/she can stay in the hotels if all the conditions below are met:

a) Patients are not symptomatic and not more than 60 years old.
b) Request/ undertaking is made by patient in writing.
c)lf allowed by doctors.

Hotels will make necessary arrangements to designate a part of their rooms for institutional isolation for this purpose.

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Regular flights to Port Blair (the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) are operational now.
There are direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Delhi.
Public transports like cabs, taxis, and bus services are also functional.

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Travellers should carefully follow social distancing norms and wear masks as well. Also, before making any booking, they should refer to the latest travel news on the government website of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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Do’s & Don’ts

If Andaman Island is on your bucket list of travel destinations, then here is a handy guide of

do’s and don’ts to make your trip both enjoyable and safe.

Do’s at the Andaman Islands:

Documents required to visit Andaman

It is essential you carry all required documents on your trip to Andaman

Keep all documents like driving license, passport, Aadhar card, pan card, and booking details handy.

You should have the Restricted Area Permit on you, if you are planning to visit the spots covered under the permit like Havelock island, Diglipur, Mayabunder, Long island, Neil island and more.

Foreign tourists to Andaman are advised to keep their passport with a valid visa and Restricted Area Permit on them at all times.

Do not leave important documents back at the hotel or the resort.
Help maintain the beauty and cleanliness at Andaman

‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan’ implies to theAndaman Islands too.

To dispose of all the garbage and rubbish, use dustbins and garbage receptacles provided at various tourist spots.

Keep the beaches clean by not littering.

Along with the beaches, keep the parks, public places, and the sea clean and devoid of any garbage.
Water Activities

Adhere to instructions given by the lifeguard.

Since it is an ocean at a stretch, swim in safe and shallow areas only.

To enjoy and make the most of your water sports experience like scuba diving or snorkeling in Andaman, keep in mind to avail the service of qualified diving instructors only. Check for their certification of international professional organizations like PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC or SSI.

While snorkelingor scuba diving in Andaman, take care to swim in permitted areas only.

Do not step on the corals during these activities as you may damage them in the process.

Respect the tribes of Andaman

Andaman is home to different native tribes like Jarwa, the Great Andamanese, Onge and Sentinelese.

It is important all tourists respect the privacy of these tribes of Andaman.

Any attempt to interact with them or violate their privacy is punishable by law.

Research Helps

Andaman Islands are a set of enchanting archipelagos in the Bay of Bengal. Before visiting the island, it is better to research them to make the visit enjoyable and worth every moment.

Try to learn more about the weather, the tropical forests, marine life, coral reefs, adventure sports, culture, and the local cuisine you can indulge in.
Tourist Information Centres

There are official government tourist offices available at different islands at Andaman.

You can reach out to them for any travel assistance required to move around the island.

They can provide information on various tourist spots, beaches, hotels, places to stay, time to visit a tourist spot, renting a vehicle or a two-wheeler, and special permissions required to visit certain places on the island.

Other Rules to follow

Maintain traffic rules when driving rented vehicles on the island.

Wear a helmet when on a two wheeler.

Have your driving license on you all the time when using rented vehicles.
Don’ts at the Andaman Islands:

Mission Cleanliness

Help Andamans to be garbage-free. There is a ban on plastic bags on theislands for the protection of natural habitat.

On finding any tourist or a local using a plastic carry-bag, he or she will have to pay a heavy fine of Rs. 1 Lac or bear a six months imprisonment or both.
Safety precautions in Andaman for tourists

The tourism department has issued some safety precautions in Andaman for locals as well as the tourists to maintain a harmonious and pleasant environment on theislands:

Smoking is not allowed in public areas.

The lighting of bonfires on beaches is not allowed.

Camping in Andaman beaches is strictly prohibited and a punishable offense.
Staying on beaches or moving around the forest areas overnight is strictlyprohibited. One should return to the respective hotel or resort and linger around the beaches.

There is a ban on nudity on all the beaches and public places of theAndaman Islands.

Swimming after having a drink is not safe. Also, swimming in unsafe areas during monsoon is hazardous to life.

Staying on any of theislandsbeyond the permitted time is strictly prohibited.

No foreign tourists are allowed to stay at Andaman post the expiry of their travel and permit documents.

Flora and Fauna protection

There are many national parks, protected areas, and islands where a tourist needs a permit to have access to them. There are some standard rules for such places.

Hunting of any kind of birds or animals, both on land and sea is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining flora and fauna of theislands is of utmost importance.

Touching or breaking a live coral as well as collecting a dead coral is strictly prohibited as per the Coral Reef Protection laws. Take care of this especially duringscuba divingand snorkeling in Andaman.

Collecting shells, taking them, or even touching them irrespective of their size or condition in the sea and on the beach is strictly prohibited.
Owning shells requires purchasing them and preserving the purchase receipt as proof.

Visiting the NicobarIslands or any other tribal reserves without a special pass or permit and trying to mingle with the tribal people without legal permission is a severely punishable offense.

Rules for photography

One cannot resist capturing the stunning beauty of the island. But specific rules must be followed for this purpose.

Taking photographs or videos of the aboriginal tribes like the Jarwa tribe of Andaman is considered a crime and is a punishable offense.

Adhere to the photography rules mentioned at restricted places.

Tourists are advised against the use of drones for recreational photography. Use of drones requires special permission and licenses. It is a punishable offence to use drones without having a proper license in place.