India is reopening its doors to foreign tourists in an effort to kick-start the tourism sector, which has been in the doldrums for the past 18 months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government  announced that tourist visas would be available to foreigners arriving by charter flights from Oct 15 and to those arriving on regular commercial flights from Nov 15.

Last month, the government announced that the first half a million foreign tourists would receive free visas.

All visitors and the air carriers bringing them into India as well as other stakeholders at landing stations must adhere to Covid-19 protocols with the easing of restrictions, the government said.

“After considering various inputs, the MHA (home ministry) has decided to begin granting fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15, 2021,” the home ministry said in a statement.

It added that foreigners traveling to India via commercial flights will be able to enter on fresh tourist visas starting November 15, 2021.

Tourism is an important sector for Asia’s third-largest economy, with the country seeing 10.93 million tourist arrivals in 2019, according to government figures.

Restrictions on most categories of foreign visas, such as diplomats and businesspeople, had been gradually lifted but tourists remained barred even as most economic activities resumed.

The spike was blamed on new virus variants and the government allowing sporting events and major celebrations for religious festivals.

Cases have since slowed sharply to approximately 20,000 new daily infections and 200 to 300 deaths in recent weeks.

The home ministry said all COVID-19 protocols “should be adhered to by the foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into India and all other stakeholders at landing stations”.

The vast majority of Indians have been vaccinated with Indian-made AstraZeneca shots, which has been produced by Serum Institute of India. Others have received COVAXIN, a vaccine produced by an Indian company.