Govt makes RT-PCR mandatory for passengers from Covid stricken countries

Gandhinagar: Amid the upsurge of Covid cases across different countries, the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, while delivering a convocation address of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) on Saturday, declared that RT-PCR tests are made mandatory for passengers coming from Covid stricken countries viz. China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

He added that passengers from these countries will also have to undergo thermal screening at the airports and those found with fever will be quarantined.

Further, passengers from the listed countries have to declare their health status by filling up the 'Air Suvidha' form, said the minister.

"In view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, passengers from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Bangkok (Thailand) are required to upload their RT-PCR reports in advance (for travel to India). After landing in India, they will undergo thermal screening and we have issued an order for them to be quarantined if found positive or with fever on their arrival in the country," the minister said.

He stated that the central government is taking steps against the disease, as cases are rising in the neighbouring countries.

"Yesterday, a COVID-19 advisory was issued. Through newspaper advertisements, people are being made aware. In Parliament, I made a statement in which I urged people to mandatorily use masks, maintain social distancing and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour so that in future, India can be saved from the new BF.7 variant of the virus," he said.

"Sample testing of international passengers, including those from China, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Japan, South Korea, has been initiated at the Delhi International Airport. All necessary steps are being taken in view of the evolving coronavirus situation," tweeted the minister.

Previously, the Union Health Ministry sought random post-arrival Covid testing for two per cent of the passengers arriving in India in each international flight to minimise the risk of spreading the new variant in the country.

-With inputs from PTI