India to make PCR test must for some international passengers

The Indian Government on Saturday said RT-PCR test for the detection of COVID-19 would be made mandatory for international passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

Any passenger from these countries found symptomatic or testing positive for coronavirus would be quarantined, the government said.

He also said filling up the ‘Air Suvidha’ form to declare their health status will be made mandatory for passengers coming from these countries.

The civil aviation ministry will ensure random post-arrival Covid testing at airports of 2 percent of the passengers arriving in India on each international flight from Saturday to minimize the risk of ingress of any new variant of Covid-19 in the country.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said that people should wash their hands regularly using soaps and also use sanitizers to avoid any infections.

The IMA asked citizens to avoid going to gatherings like weddings and meetings and eschew international travel unless necessary.