India’s new Co-WIN rules to fight Omicron outbreak

Last update: January 7th, 2022.

India’s COVID Passport launched as part of the country’s second phase of vaccine distribution, which launched in April 2021.

India, which has administered almost 1.5 billion vaccinations, has most recently tightened COVID regulations as news emerged of the Omicron variant.

The country saw its deadliest wave hit in the first half of 2021 but has since managed to bring the number of new infections down to a manageable number.

By using the Co-WIN traveling pass, reinstating curfews, and closing many close contact establishments, states in India are hoping to avoid another deadly wave in early 2022.

How does the CoWIN app work?

The CoWIN App is used by Indian citizens who have access to a smartphone to schedule vaccinations and show their vaccination history.

Registration is simple. Just follow these three steps:

The mobile app offers further information about vaccinated patients, just like Japan’s COVID passport, and other similar global initiatives such as the IATA Travel Pass.

How to get a vaccine certificate in India

After receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in India, citizens can download the CoWIN app to receive their vaccine certificate, which is required for the second dose.

After the first dose, participants will get a link sent to their mobile number. Follow the link and re-enter their cellphone number to confirm their identity. Once verified, the first COVID certificate will be ready to download.

Recipients will be notified of the second dose appointment on the cell phone number provided.

The first dose certificate is required to receive the second dose. Afterward, follow the same steps to download the full vaccination certificate.

The complete Indian vaccine certificate will include the following details:

The Aarogya Setu app will also allow access to the certificate as it links directly to the CoWIN app.

COVID-19 restrictions in India

States in India have each issued their local restrictions in the first days of 2022, hoping to get a head start on avoiding an Omicron outbreak.

West Bengal COVID restrictions

The new rules dictate that a host of public spaces remain closed from January 3rd onwards. This includes entertainment areas, zoos, parks, swimming pools, salons, schools, universities, colleges, and spas.

Cinemas, theaters, bars, and restaurants can only operate until 10 pm and at 50% capacity. This also goes for shopping malls and market complexes.

Metro services in Kolkata will also operate at half the capacity and offices, both private and government, will half their staff and conduct meetings online.

Delhi COVID restrictions

The capital territory of Delhi has a curfew in place from 10 pm to 5 am.

Salons and outside yoga is permitted to continue but schools, gyms, water parks, amusement parks, and cinemas must close.

Restaurants and bars both half to operate at 50 % capacity. Restaurants can trade from 8 am to 10 pm and bars from noon to 10 pm.

Public transport like metro trains and busses will not allow standing passengers and only 50% of the seats can be filled.

Private offices can also only accommodate 50% of its staff and shops and malls can operate between 10 am and 8 pm.

Maharashtra COVID restrictions

Weddings and other religious events may not be attended by more than 50 people and funerals are capped at 20 people. There is also a curfew of 9 pm to 6 am in place.

Section 144 prohibits more than 5 people to gather together and this will be imposed in tourist hotspots like parks and beaches.

Haryana COVID restrictions

Most public spaces like cinemas, entertainment halls, and sports complexes have been closed and public offices can only operate at half capacity.

The districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat have the highest infection rates and will observe these restrictions until January 12th.

Bars and restaurants can be half full and shops can operate until 5 pm. There are plenty of places only accessible by those with a valid Co-WIN certificate.

COVID certificate regulations in India

The Co-WIN pass in India has been very successful with hundreds of millions of downloads to date.

Recent technical issues have also been swiftly solved and a new extension allows vaccinated individuals to share their status on social media platforms.

A new service launched in November will also allow service providers and employers to confirm a person’s vaccine status through text messages if they do not have a Co-WIN pass download on hand.

The service will require the person’s cellphone number and they must verify their consent with an OTP that is sent to them.

So far it is only the state of Haryana that is using the vaccine pass of India to restrict access to various establishments to vaccinated people only. More restrictions are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Are COVID certificates discriminatory in India?

Many citizens of India have been concerned about vaccine passport discrimination.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, India’s Union health minister, stated in a recent G7 summit that vaccine passports would be “hugely discriminatory” to the Global South.

Vardhan remarked that developing countries’ rate of vaccination is much slower than, for example, that of the European Union or the United States, creating a significant breach in freedom of movement between upper and lower classes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also remarked that vaccine passports might cause travelers to become prioritized for vaccination instead of high-risk populations.

For example, in India, students going abroad were prioritized in the 18-44 age group vaccinations once foreign universities began making vaccination a requirement for attending classes.

Travel regulations in India: can I travel to India with my local COVID certificate?

Travel to India during the COVID-19 pandemic is possible, despite stricter border control measures as of late. More than 100 countries accept the travel pass for vaccinated citizens from India.

Some of the COVID passes that are mutually recognized by India include:

Is it safe to travel to India now? COVID-19 statistics

India still has the second-highest number of infections globally, but its infection rate has significantly declined since its peak of almost half a million people per day.

The newest rates are just over 30 000 new cases per day with just under 300 deaths each day.

India is running the world’s largest vaccine rollout and almost 45% of the population has been fully vaccinated. Booster doses will also be offered in India for frontline workers and the elderly from January 10th.