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Northeast India is home to some of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the country. The eight states make up for an astonishing paradise for travellers with their crystal clear lakes, snow-clad mountains, lush green forests and some of the highest peaks in the world. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the northeast has introduced various travel and entry restrictions that tourists must know about before they plan a trip here. To help you out with the entry requirements, safety rules, things to do in the “new normal” and much more, we’re here with a conclusive guide to northeast India.
Entry To Northeast
- Assam: If you’re staying in Assam, for more than 72 hours, you will need a COVID-negative test for entry. If the COVID negative certificate is not available, you will be tested on arrival and will be quarantined until the results arrive.
- Tripura: Thermal screening is done for all passengers on arrival. Random sampling will be done for COVID and a free COVID testing facility is set up for travellers on the terminal.
- Meghalaya: All travellers need to register on the official portal to enter the state. On entry, all travellers will be tested for COVID. If found negative, a mandatory quarantine of 10 days will follow and if found positive, the patient will be shifted to a COVID care centre. If the traveller presents a COVID negative certificate on arrival, he/she will be exempted from on-arrival testing. A valid return ticket also needs to be presented.
- Mizoram: An m pass is required for entry into Mizoram, which can be obtained from the official portal. Travellers will be tested at arrival and will be kept in the quarantine centre till results arrive, followed by a home quarantine for 14 days.
- Arunachal Pradesh: All travellers will be tested for COVID at the entry points. A quarantine of 14 days is mandatory if found negative. Symptomatic and positive travellers will be shifted to a COVID care centre.
- Nagaland: Downloading the nCOVID Nagaland visitors app is mandatory for all travellers entering the state. A home quarantine of 14 days is mandatory for all travellers.
- Manipur: All air passengers need to obtain an e-pass from the deputy commissioner online to enter Manipur. A COVID negative certificate will be required from travellers staying in the state for less than 7 days. The certificate must not be older than 48 hours and must be obtained from an ICMR lab. If staying for more than 7 days, travellers will need to be tested on arrival. If found negative, a home-quarantine of 14 days will follow and if found positive, the patient will be sent to a COVID care centre.
- Sikkim: To enter Sikkim, you will need to obtain a travel card by the Tourism Department of Sikkim. You can apply for the same on their official website. Once you fill in all your details, you will be able to download your travel card which is to be presented at entry at Rangpo/Melli.
Once inside Sikkim, you will have to update your travel card on a day-to-day basis on the official website of Sikkim Tourism Department. This travel card must be carried by you in Sikkim at all times as you may be asked to produce it for verification by designated Enforcement officers deputed at any time.
Staying In The Northeast
The government and tourism departments of all the eight states in northeast India have taken several safety measures to keep all tourists visiting and the residents of these states safe. Safety guidelines and enhanced SOPs have been issued for hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc. to streamline the processes and ensure everyone’s safety.
Reopened Hotels
The government of all eight states have issued specific safety guidelines and enhanced sanitization protocols for all reopened hotels to follow. The tourism departments of all states are also very strict for tourists to choose only the compliant accommodation to ensure their and everyone’s safety.
What Happens If You Show COVID Symptoms While Your Stay In Northeast
If you experience any COVID-related symptoms while you stay in Northeast, make sure to inform your hotel or resort manager and isolate yourself immediately. Alternatively, you can also call the COVID helpline numbers for immediate help. Following are the COVID helpline numbers of all northeastern states:
Assam: 6913347770/1/2/3, 6913347772 and 6913347773
Tripura: 09013151515
Meghalaya: 9366090748 or 108
Mizoram: 0389-2323336, 0389-2322336 and 0389-2318336
Arunachal Pradesh: 9436055743
Nagaland: 7005539653
Manipur: 3852411668
Sikkim: 104, 8016346710, 8016345478, 9635657914 or 9635659896
Local Transport
Local transport all across northeast India has been resumed with strict safety measures in place. This includes buses, trains, and taxis. Wearing masks and adhering to social distancing is compulsory for all passengers while using public transport.
Safety Measures
- Wearing masks and adhering to social distancing is compulsory for all in public spaces.
- Spitting in public spaces is strictly prohibited.
- It is recommended to only book accommodations and services that are compliant to the government’s safety guidelines. Failure to do so may result in a fine for you.
Experiences
Here are 5 things to do in the northeast while staying safe in the “new normal”
- Visit The Tsomogo Lake in Sikkim:
Visit one of the most photographed and popular tourists destinations in northeast, the Tsomogo lake and witness the breathtaking views clear glacial water and surrounding mountains. Make sure you wear your mask and adhere to social distancing while visiting to stay safe.
Book Sikkim Tour Package At 15% oFF- Visit Nathula Pass, Sikkim:
Nathula pass is one of the most stunning places in the northeast to visit. The snow-clad mountains and stunning panoramic views from the top make it a place you shouldn’t miss visiting at all. The best part is, it will also allow you to naturally distance yourself from the crowd of the cities.
Book Sikkim Tour Package With Nathula Pass At 15% Off- Witness Nohkalikai Falls, Meghalaya:
The hidden gem of Meghalaya, Nohkalikai Falls is the fourth highest waterfall in the world. Witness this magnificent natural wonder and explore the surrounding lush green forest as you stay away from the crowds and safe in the lap of nature!
Book Meghalaya Tour Package At 23% Off- Scale The Gorichen Peak in Arunachal Pradesh
Gorichen Peak is one of the most beautiful and the toughest treks in northeast India. If you want to witness the peak without the trek, you can travel from Bomdila to Tawang and enjoy the views of the snow-clad Gorichen and its surrounding mountains.
Book Arunachal Pradesh Tour Package At 19% Off- Visit Kaziranga National Park
The famous Kaziranga National Park is now open for visitors with strict safety measures in place. Enjoy a safari and witness the magnificent animal species housed in the park. Wearing masks inside the park is now compulsory and the safari is also running at a 50% capacity for the safety of all visitors.
Book Kaziranga Group Tour Package At 11% OffPacking List For Northeast
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a big change in our everyday life with the introduction of masks, gloves and hand sanitizers as everyday essentials. When packing for a holiday in the new normal you must include the above and a lot of other things in your bag now. Here is a list of all the essential items to be packed in your bags:
- N-95 masks: Keep yourself safe throughout the trip with N-95 masks. Make sure you carry at least 3 of these to be able to change and wear alternatively.
- Gloves: Keep a pack of disposable gloves (used for medical examinations) with you to keep your hands from getting contaminated. When used, dispose of them carefully and responsibly.
- Hand sanitizer: Always keep a hand sanitizer with you, in case you’re not able to wash your hands frequently. This will help you get rid of any germs and viruses on your hands and avoid infections.
- First-aid Kit: In case, you catch a fever or show other symptoms and are tested negative for COVID, you would need regular medicines to treat yourself. Keep the essential medicines with you in a first aid kit to avoid any hassles in a foreign country.
- Extra clothes & a bag: Just to minimize the risk of infection even further, you can keep an extra pair of clothes that you can wear while travelling on flights or at the airport. Keep this pair of clothes packed in a ziplock bag after use, if it’s not possible to wash them.