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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Sight Seeing Spots at Rangat Island

Overview of Rangat Island

Location

About 180 km from Port Blair, Rangat Island is a common tourist stop on the way to varied Andaman attractions. A prominent eco-tourism hotspot, this distinct island in the archipelago has several special places for you to check out. Rangat was green lit as a tourist spot only after 2006 after the financial success of Baratang, Mayabunder and Diglipur.

There are multiple tehsils and revenue districts and Rangat is a very well organised territorial entity. If you are wondering how to reach Rangat, let this be told that getting there couldn’t have been simpler. There is a government operated jetty service from Rangat with the additional option of a luxurious speedboat ride. There are buses as well which leaves from Port Blair and reaches Rangat in about 5-6 hours.

People

People are really warm and embracing of tourists and other cultures and that is probably because they have learnt how to coexist in harmony. People settled here were once rooted in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal and now have taken to honest callings to feed themselves. They are extremely laborious people who are engaged in fishing and agriculture. Some have taken to hospitality to make sure your visit is a seamless one.

They are always willing to let you spend time with them at their yard if you are curious about their techniques and their trade secrets of farming and fishing. Their empathy and concern for nature is something beautiful to behold. There are guides as well if you want to embark on a Sightseeing Tour Of Rangat Island.

Culture

Rangat, besides being naturally colourful is also a very socially vibrant place with people settling in from different socio-cultural backgrounds. Since they are from different territorial backgrounds they are also very respectful of other cultures. This is one of the reasons as to why international tourism has sky-rocketed in Rangat. People are really empathetic about the environment and have contributed in their own small ways to the creation of an environment which considers nature as its most important ally.

This is one the reasons as to why there is a booming eco-tourism industry in operation at Rangat. People have developed initiatives like the Mangrove Interpretation Panel at the Dhaninallah Mangrove nature walkway (seasonal Turtle Breeding) at Rangat Island Andaman Islands, to disseminate information about the importance of Mangroves

Reasons to visit Rangat Island

If it takes further convincing as to why we should visit Rangat is maybe because its beauty dwarves us. Now is the perfect time to make use of the opportunity. Since Rangat is a recent phenomenon, travelling right now is cheaper before the business takes off. The beauty of Rangat calls for a photo-walk even on the grimmest of days. Since there are international tourists there as well there won’t be any shortage of food choice for you or your family. There are so many virgin beaches as well as well-maintained beaches that Rangat becomes a comprehensive vacation with your family and partner. Apart from visual delight the aura of Rangat will stimulate you to engage in some soul-searching when you are away from the trepidations of city life.

Cuthbert Bay Beach
PANCHVATI HILLS
AMKUNJ BEACH
LONG ISLAND
GUITAR ISLAND
DHANI NALLAH MANGROVE

Rangat has within its fold the most beautiful of forests and the most pristine of beaches and here are some of the places that you might want to explore

1. Amkunj Beach

Head over to Nimbutala Village to soak up the splendours of Amkunj Beach at Rangat Island Andaman Islands. It is technically 8km from Rangat. Here you’ll find several eco-conscious additions: sit-outs, sofas, eco-huts… Whether it is spending time on the warm beach or swimming among the waves, you are sure to find a special sort of peace at Amkunj.

2. Dhaninallah Mangrove Walkway

The 1km long wooden walkway offers some of the best views and natural experiences of Andaman’s mangrove forests. The fact that it opens up onto Dhaninallah Beach (modern, and equipped with everything you need to enjoy) at the end of its ‘walk’ adds to the enchantment. The latter is, after all, a popular turtle-nesting site. The longest such walkway in all of India, this tourist attraction is quite the eco-treat, and you can find it 20km from Rangat.

3. Morrice Dera Beach

One of the first things you will notice upon arriving here are a pair of rock formations called simply the Twins. Sightseeing the horizon from a point between these rocks can result in some of the most memorable photo-moments in Andaman. The eco-friendly beach is designed to instil a sense of calm. Be sure to check out the freshwater stream near here. They are one of a handful that spring up in and around Rangat Island. The beach is situated 12km from Rangat.

4. Yerrata

From the lush mangrove scene to an active harbour, Yerrata’s mangrove diversity and jetty alike are worth visiting. Stop by the Mangrove Interpretation Centre to learn more about the significance of these particular types of forests on island ecosystems. The sights are a lesson in natural beauty in Yerrata, which can be found 8km from Rangat.

5. Cuthbert Bay Beach

One of Rangat Island’s most popular tourist hotspots is the beach that stands 12km from it. In addition to being a crucial turtle-nesting zone, Cuthbert Bay Beach at Rangat Island Andaman Islands is renowned for its beauty and scenic ambience.

6. Panchavati Waterfalls

Falling on the outskirts, this gorgeous waterfall has been attracting tourists for decades. The regions thereabouts are filled with farmland, adding to the rustic marvel that is the Panchvati Hills at Rangat Island Andaman Islands.

Comprising some of the best spots are the handful of attractions detailed above. The island itself is a beauty, and something of a ‘stopover’ for tourists heading toward North Andaman. You can take a tour and if need be shown around by trusted guides.