Repatriation Experience at Hyderabad

I traveled to Hyderabad on 21-22 June 2020, from Johannesburg, South Africa, on a repatriation-chartered flight organised by India Club South Africa, the High Commission of India and Satguru Travels. This was not a Vande Bharat Mission flight.

If you, like me, are forced to book your tickets through Satguru Travels, there is information in this article that will reduce some travel induced stress. No matter what quarantine options Satguru Travels offer you, you will be given better options at Hyderabad Airport.

Now, let’s begin…

When Your Flight Lands

Have lots of patience. When your flight lands in Hyderabad, stay in your seat as the airport staff will distribute the necessary forms you need to fill while you’re still in the plane. Fill the forms with a clear handwriting when still in the plane. This is the clever thing to do and ensures smooth processing.

You will be asked to fill two forms and three copies of each of the two forms, which is six forms per passenger, including babies.

At Hyderabad Airport

If you're traveling business class, you're done with all airport processes in an hour. Economy class is currently taking around three to four hours at the airport and then a couple of hours for hotel transfer and registration. After you have chosen your quarantine location, Telangana Tourism buses will take you to your hotel, for free.

How to prevent delays at the airport? 

Fill in the forms the airport staff provide you accurately, carry many pens and listen to the instructions of the airport staff. Each flight brings around 350 people or more and there can be more than one flight a day – the number on 21 June 2020 being nine flights. The airport staff are very helpful, but they are also exhausted and stressed. It’s a Herculean task to process and screen thousands of passengers per day and they do this every day, so really listen to what they are telling you, no matter how exhausted you are.

Recommendation: Fill your water bottles in the flight, pack snacks and fill the forms accurately!

Immigration

The immigration officials at the airport will keep your passport for 7-days and will return it to you at your quarantine location or address. Passports can also be picked up at RR District Collector's office in Lakdi-Ka-Pul from day 8 onward.

Connecting Flights

People who have connecting flights from Hyderabad to other cities in India may not be able to take these flights if they are healthy individuals traveling alone. Only pregnant women, their companions; the elderly; those with children or with medical conditions may be granted permission to take these connecting flights. If you don't fall under any of these categories, then you have to quarantine in Hyderabad for 7-days and then follow the quarantine rules at your final destination. For example, if your final destination is Chennai then you have to quarantine 7-days in Hyderabad and then 14-days in Chennai – a total of 21-days. Each city and state have their own rules.

Institutional Quarantine in Hyderabad

In Hyderabad, currently, there is 7-days mandatory institutional quarantine that is followed by 7-days self-isolation at home. Pregnant women, those traveling with children and older people are allowed to home quarantine for 14-days. People with health issues such as asthma, diabetes, heart issues are also sent home, irrespective of age. These are the quarantine options offered at Hyderabad Airport:

1. Free government facility
2. Rs 8,000 for 7-days (Oyo and smaller hotels)
3. Rs 16,000 for 7-days (such as Marriott Bonvoy and The Park)

My advice is to avoid pre-booking your quarantine. Discuss your health situation and the options with the airport staff, they are very helpful and who knows, you maybe allowed to quarantine at home!

I hope this write-up helps you make wise decisions about your repatriation travel to Hyderabad. Good luck and bon-voyage!